An interview with Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Advisor to the World Cancer Research Fund - the first cancer charity to focus on the links between diet, physical activity and cancer. October 2009
One of the biggest challenges we face in the UK is that people are becoming less and less active. This has obvious negative health implications. And, according to Professor Wiseman, “there is compelling evidence that if people are regularly physically active then, all other things being equal, they are less likely to develop cancer”
“There is good evidence that if you promote good cycling and walking facilities then people will use them”, announces Professor Wiseman quoting the American classic 1980s film Field of Dreams. He explains further, “but if you have a situation where cyclists have to compete against cars and other vehicles, it is no surprise that people decide not to cycle”.
Professor Martin Wiseman became a member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1977 (he is now a Fellow) and followed a traditional career path as a general physician until 1981 when he developed his interest in clinical research. He moved to the Department of Health in 1986 and still retains an appointment within the NHS where he continues his clinical duties in a diabetes clinic.
As advisor to the WCRF, Wiseman was project director of the 2007 ground breaking study Food Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective and its companion report published in February 2009 which set out the policy and action required for cancer prevention to world Governments.
Certainly the UK Government has shown signs of its concern for public health and when it comes to transport, there are many positive things happening such as; Transport for London’s 66% increase in cycling in central London between 2002 and 2007; and also the sustainable travel demonstration towns have created - within two years - an increase in walking of about 20% and cycling of about 50%.
So, Wiseman is in no doubt that we are moving in the right direction. “But we still have a lot more work to do”, he says “to get to the point where all of us feel we can safety cycle to wherever we want to go”.
“There is no single mechanism that would dramatically change things, according to Wiseman, he continues “it’s worth remembering that even the ban on smoking in public places is only one of a series of policies including education, information, advertising restrictions and taxation, targeted at improving public health”.
So what are the lessons for the transport sector? Wiseman would argue that “we need a coordinated approach, which involves those planning and designing our towns right the way through to the individuals who live in them. It’s only if we get this broad change that we are likely to make a significant impact”.
Another lesson is that whilst promoting cycling and walking is necessary, it is not going to bring about change on its own, fiscal mechanisms (such as road user charging) may also be needed as part of a Smarter Choices future.
Bogota is a good example of where there has been a fundamental shift in society towards making public health a priority. They have changed the way they use their city to make walking and cycling a lifestyle choice. Professor Wiseman highlights that the authorities in Bogota - at the local level - responsible for health, transport, planning and education understand each others’ roles and work together to a common agenda.
Our conversation concluded with a request from Professor Wiseman, “it’s not just the business of professionals traditionally associated with health that can help prevent cancer, transport professionals too, can make a real difference by making it easier for people to make choices that can reduce their risk of cancer”.
