The UK Government has published its National Cancer Plan for England, which lists alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.
Despite the acknowledgement, there are no new policy proposals in the Plan beyond those already committed to as part of the 10 Year Health Plan on introducing mandatory labelling and supporting the no and low alcohol sector.
Dr Katherine Severi highlighted the need to protect future policymaking from industry interference:
It’s positive that the government’s Cancer Plan acknowledges that alcohol causes cancer. Public awareness of this link remains worryingly low, which is why clear, prominent health warnings on alcohol labels are essential if people are to make informed choices. But this needs to be backed by strong safeguards. We know the alcohol industry successfully watered down commitments in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, and is already attempting to do the same with alcohol labelling. That’s why the government should introduce clear conflict-of-interest policies to protect health policymaking from industry interference and ensure public health comes first.
More broadly, the Cancer Plan was welcomed by cancer charities, with Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, stating that:
The publication of the National Cancer Plan for England represents a significant commitment by the UK government to treat cancer with the seriousness it deserves.
It’s promising to see the government’s ambitious commitment to saving more lives from cancer. England lags behind comparable countries on cancer survival and it’s vital that this changes, so more people affected by cancer can live longer, better lives.
Cancer Research UK’s Matt Sample also welcomed many aspects of the Plan, but said that it was a missed opportunity to introduce minimum unit pricing.