Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department plans to take to refresh its guidance on the link between (a) stress, (b) diet, (c) lack of exercise and (d) other elements of an unhealthy lifestyle with cancer.

NHS Choices provides advice to the public on links between unhealthy lifestyle and cancer.

Current advice on diet and cancer is updated subject to changes in advice based on conclusions from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Specific advice in relation to foods and cancer relate to diets higher in fibre, fruit and vegetables and lower in red and processed meat. Diets high in calories, saturated fat and sugar are associated with weight gain and obesity is associated with risk of developing a range of cancers.

Specific advice on reducing the risk of cancer by staying physically active, drinking less alcohol, stopping smoking, and protecting your skin from sun damage is also available. This is updated in line with assessments of the evidence.

Public Health England has also promoted advice on stress through the ‘One You’ campaign. The online resources include advice on the causes and signs of stress and practical ways to prevent problems.