AWRC responds to the UK Government’s national cancer plan consultation
The AWRC has contributed to the UK Government’s consultation on the national cancer plan for England.
Based on our research in physical activity and cancer, we identify prevention as the most effective long-term approach to improving health outcomes. We argue that equitable, community-led preventative measures are essential to reducing deaths from cancer, which remains one of the UK’s leading causes of mortality.
We recommend that the government:
⚪ Recognises physical inactivity as a critical risk factor for cancer
⚪ Embeds prehabilitation and rehabilitation programmes into cancer care pathways
⚪ Invests in community-based models of cancer healthcare delivery
⚪ Reduces health inequalities by making cancer care more accessible and appropriate for underserved populations
⚪ Harnesses innovation to improve the use of health data, tackle inequalities and improve cancer outcomes for all patients
Our response draws on evidence from across the AWRC and its partners including:
💙 Active Together, our prehabilitation programme which embeds physical activity, nutrition and psychological support into cancer care pathways, helping people to prepare for, and recover from treatment.
🏘️ The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) which exemplifies how co-locating healthcare services within community settings can increase physical activity while embedding healthcare within disadvantaged communities.
🔬 The South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub which harnesses underutilised data from daily life, such as wearable technology, which when integrated with routine healthcare records can lead to healthier lives.
🏥 The Physical Activity Clinical Champions (PACC) programme, which has upskilled over 58,000 healthcare workers in physical activity promotion through peer-led training.
🏃♀️ Active Everyday, a physical activity programme co-produced with people affected by cancer, which demonstrated improvements in fatigue, self-efficacy, and perceived health.
🌳 Our research on social prescribing which has demonstrated how connecting people with physical activity providers and community-based support can improve physical and mental wellbeing.
We’re proud to contribute our expertise to help shape a national cancer plan that prioritises prevention, tackles inequalities, and embeds physical activity into healthcare.