People in Wales least aware poor diet can cause cancer

Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

People in Wales are the least aware in Britain that having a poor diet increases the risk of cancer, according to a survey by the WorldCancer Research Fund (WCRF).

The charity said after not smoking, eating a healthy diet and being physically active are the most important ways to reduce the risk of getting cancer.

Dr Lee Parry, from the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, said eating less processed foods and more fruit and vegetables, especially dark fruits and berries, can help prevent many types of cancer and even kill some cancer cells.

Dr Lee Parry said eating dark berries can help against cancer. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales
Dr Lee Parry researches cancer cells. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

There are a number of different reasons people can develop cancer and some are impossible to prevent.

Patrick Wymer, from Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan, has always tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Despite this, in 2017, he started getting stomach pains and losing weight. Overtime the pain got worse and he was forced to have an emergency operation. He was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and given a stoma.

Patrick Wymer was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. Credit: Family photo

Since then, Patrick has become even more conscious about the food he eats. He wants to make more people aware of the impact diet can have.