One of the UK’s largest scientific studies investigating the links between diet and cancer has reached its 30th anniversary, with celebrations from Leeds researchers who spearheaded the project.
The UK Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS) began in 1995, launched by Professor Janet Cade of the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, and funded by the World Cancer Research Fund. It has developed into one of the largest, longest studies on diet and health in the UK.
Uniquely, it was designed to study three different diets – vegetarians, pescatarians (eating fish but not meat), and meat eaters. This has allowed researchers to explore the relationships between eating habits and chronic disease.
The project began with a call out for research participants, and it was answered by more than 35,000 middle-aged women who have answered questions about their diet, filled in questionnaires, and allowed researchers to track their health through NHS records.
Over the years we have been able to find out so much about the impact of what people eat on their long-term health, helping to answer so many questions of interest and importance to us all
Their contributions developed into a remarkable bank of data available for researchers. Over three decades it has led to scores of research findings and allowed scientists to learn:
- women who eat more fibre have a lower risk of stroke
- women who eat greater amounts of red and processed meat have a greater risk of breast and endometrial cancer
- a healthy diet is cheaper than a less healthy one
- eating oily fish and fresh legumes can delay the onset of natural menopause
- vegetarian women are at a higher risk of hip fracture than meat eaters
- reducing consumption of meat, especially processed meat, may help stop older adults becoming frail
Professor Cade said: “We are extremely grateful to all the women who have contributed to this unique dataset. Over the years we have been able to find out so much about the impact of what people eat on their long-term health, helping to answer so many questions of interest and importance to us all.
“I personally am proud of the whole team and our funders who have made this possible.”
Three decades on since that first survey the work continues. Earlier this year PhD researcher Yuanyuan Dong used UKWCS data to look rheumatoid arthritis risk for older women, learning that waist measurement – even skirt size – could be a more accurate sign of risk than the widely accepted BMI.
Ms Dong said access to the UKWCS’s repository of data was key to her findings.
“Our research suggests that carrying extra fat around the waist could raise the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, even if someone’s overall weight looks normal. It highlights that small lifestyle changes can make a real difference for long-term joint health.
"As an early-career researcher, I really appreciate having access to such high-quality data collected over many years. It has allowed me to explore important questions about women’s health and disease prevention that are difficult to address in shorter studies."
In the coming months a new PhD student will be explore whether replacing processed meats with unprocessed meat, dairy or plant-based foods could reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, Dr Sarah Jing Guo plans recruit a new cohort of cancer survivors to investigate how a healthy diet can improve their quality of life, risk of the cancer recurring, and overall wellbeing.
World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) provided initial seed funding in 1995, which supported the first study conducted by the University of Leeds.
Dr Jana Sremanakova, Senior Research Funding Manager at WCRF, said: “It is an honour to be associated with this outstanding initiative, whose evidence now underpins major global health initiatives. Our donors were present at the outset, and their long-term commitment illustrates the powerful and enduring impact of public support for scientific research. I look forward to seeing this cohort continue to grow and contribute for many decades ahead.”
Further information
- Main image: Some of the original survey booklets sent to study particpants. Credit: Janet Cade/ UoL.
- For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact University of Leeds press officer Victoria Prest via email on pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk