Cancer affects far too many lives – according to Macmillan Cancer support, in the UK, almost 3.5 million people are living with a cancer diagnosis, a significant increase from about 3 million just a few years ago, with the number continuing to grow. More than 420,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, equivalent to someone being diagnosed every 90 seconds.
The risk of cancer touches nearly everyone – about 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. And while older age remains the strongest risk factor, recent trends show cancer incidence increasing among younger adults too (according to Cancer Research UK, a 24% rise in rates among 25–49-year-olds over recent decades).
These numbers are powerful reminders that prevention matters and that our everyday choices can influence our long-term health.
Your gut: a central player in health and resilience
Our gut isn’t just about digestion – it plays a pivotal role in immunity, inflammation regulation, hormone balance, mood, and metabolic health. A diverse gut microbiome helps:
- support immune defences
- regulate inflammation and cellular health
- produce beneficial compounds like short-chain fatty acids
- interact with metabolic and detoxification pathways critical to overall wellbeing.
Emerging research suggests that higher dietary fibre intake – which feeds beneficial microbes – is linked with a reduced risk of several cancers, including colorectal, lung, and oesophageal cancers.
Consuming prebiotic foods (such as onions, garlic, leeks, oats, bananas, artichokes, and legumes) helps feed the probiotics that support microbiome diversity. Pair this with plenty of colourful plant-based foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, all of which nurture a resilient gut environment.
Mindful choices matter
Cancer is influenced by many factors, including genetics and age, but up to 40% of UK cancer cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, staying active, and reducing alcohol consumption. For more details click here.
Here at Just For Tummies, we’re committed to supporting people in resolving and managing gut, digestive, and women’s health concerns because a healthier gut supports resilience across the body, brain, heart, immune system, and hormonal networks.
Simple, evidence-informed supplement protocols – from digestive enzymes and probiotics to targeted nutrients – can help:
- support nutrient absorption
- calm low-grade inflammation
- enhance gut lining integrity
- nurture microbial balance.
Trust your body and advocate for yourself
Your body sends you signals – persistent symptoms deserve attention. If something doesn’t feel right, or if a diagnosis doesn’t fit the reality of your experience, keep asking questions, seek second opinions, and pursue clarity. Early detection and proactive care can make a life-saving difference.
This World Cancer Day, let’s recommit to making mindful choices – for our gut, for our health, and for each other. Together, we can build habits that nourish and protect long into the future.
