National Vegetarian Week, 22- 28 May 2006
Vegetarians Can Cut Cancer Risk
In
a world where every day, week and month seems to be branded by a dozen
different
causes, campaigns
or brands, the organisers of National
Vegetarian Week are welcoming the happy coincidence which sees Cancer
Prevention Week fall alongside this year’s seven-day celebration
of the diet that best fits the World Cancer Research Fund’s
suggested regime for reducing your cancer risk.
The fourteenth National Vegetarian Week (Monday 22 to Sunday 28 May)
is organised by national charity, The Vegetarian Society. The week
seeks to raise the profile of vegetarianism and of the free support
and guidance which the Society offers all year round to vegetarians
and those considering vegetarianism.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) urges anyone seeking to reduce
their cancer risk “to choose a diet rich in a variety of plant-based
foods; to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and to maintain a healthy
weight”.
According to The Vegetarian Society’s Information Manager, Chris
Olivant, “Vegetarians are far more likely than any other group
in society to be eating the government’s recommended five portions
of fruit and vegetables every day. We also tend to eat a greater variety
of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds and other plant-based foods than meat-eaters.”
Beyond the direct impact of diet, obesity is known to contribute to
a person’s risk of developing cancer as well as heart disease
and diabetes. A study recently published in the International Journal
of Obesity confirmed that vegetarians gain less weight than meat-eaters
as they grow older.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
• For further information on National Vegetarian Week, The Vegetarian
Society or any aspect of vegetarianism please contact Liz O’Neill
or Collette Walsh on 0161 925 2012/3, 07973 108 165/7, liz@vegsoc.org;
collette@vegsoc.org.
•
The Vegetarian Society’s
website, www.vegsoc.org features information for press and the public
on National Vegetarian Week, the
work of the Society and all aspects of vegetarianism.
• World
Cancer Research Fund quote was taken from www.wrcf-uk.org on 22 May
2006
• The
study published in the International Journal of Obesity is part of
the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
(EPIC), funded by Cancer Research UK.
