Toral Shah/yestolife.org.uk
Jun 28, 2025, 14:32
Toral Shah Shared Highlights From NIHR and WCRF Event on The Role of Diet and Exercise in Oncology
Toral Shah, Nutritional Scientist, Integrative Oncology and Functional Medicine practitioner at Toral Shah Integrative Health, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“On Tuesday evening, I attended an event organised by the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration and the World Cancer Research Fund to explore ways to provide nutrition and physical activity advice and resources to clinicians and cancer patients. Rachael Gormley, CEO of WCRF, stated that the belief that cancer is purely genetic is being challenged, with up to 50% of cancers potentially preventable through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Professor Steve Wootton from NIHR emphasized the importance of educating healthcare professionals, including incorporating cancer nutrition and lifestyle into medical school curriculums, with Lincoln and Southampton Universities leading the way. This was followed by a panel hosted by Professor Alan Jackson with Professor Vicky Coyle, Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Professor Sam H Ahmedzai and Lucy Gossage discussing challenges and potential solutions
Nutrition and lifestyle choices are vital for reducing cancer risk and improving survival rates. While maintaining a healthy weight is emphasized by health professionals, there’s less guidance on staying active or following a plant-based, fiber-rich diet. However, evidence supports these practices for prevention and long-term health.
A major challenge is that many oncology professionals lack confidence and training in providing nutrition and physical activity advice, often recommending rest despite evidence that activity reduces side effects. Vicky Coyle, involved in the CHALLENGE trial, highlighted physical activity’s effectiveness in lowering mortality and recurrence risk. Dr. Lucy Gossage noted the need for referral options for physical activity and lifestyle changes.
A mindset shift is needed in cancer treatment, recognising that drugs aren’t the only solution. We require more CPD training, broader resources, and partnerships for supporting thrivership. This aligns with the mission of integrative or supportive oncology. Steve concluded that change requires patient-focused solutions, especially given the NHS’s conservative approach.
I left medicine over 25 years ago because my mother received no nutrition or lifestyle advice after her breast cancer treatment. For over a quarter of a century, I’ve been passionate about this issue and am thrilled to see the narrative finally shifting. Having survived breast cancer three times myself, I know my diet and physical activity have played a crucial role. I continue my work and research to share this knowledge.
Great to finally meet so many of my research colleagues in real life including Rebecca Beeken, Basma Ellahi, Professor Jane Hopkinson and Professor Steve Wootton alongside my nutrition colleagues, Glenys Jones, Gopika Chandratheva BSc RNutr, Tanya Haffner. Clemence Cleave RNutr, Martina Brayley (ANutr) and old study buddy Dr Eleni Tsiompanou.”
Small Steps, Big Living: Why Movement is Medicine – Sami Mansfield
Alan Jackson
Basma Ellahi
cancer
cancer care
cancer treatment
Clemence Cleave
Eleni Tsiompanou
Elisabete Weiderpass
Glenys Jones
Gopika Chandratheva
Jane Hopkinson
Lucy Gossage
Martina Brayley
National Institute for Health and Care Research
NIHR
OncoDaily
Oncology
Rachael Gormley
Rebecca Beeken
Sam H Ahmedzai
Steve Wootton
Tanya Haffner
Toral Shah
Vicky Coyle
WCRF
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