Melissa
@melissadando.bsky.social
Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer @wcrf.org. Focused on all things cancer prevention. Views are my own.
Conference may feel like a distant memory, but I'm still reflecting on the powerful insights shared in Liverpool💡
I've written a blog sharing my key takeaways on how the UK government can deliver its ambition to shift from sickness to prevention.
www.wcrf.org/about-us/new...
#CancerPrevention
I've written a blog sharing my key takeaways on how the UK government can deliver its ambition to shift from sickness to prevention.
www.wcrf.org/about-us/new...
#CancerPrevention
5 ways the UK government can be bolder on cancer prevention | World Cancer Research Fund
We explore where the UK government needs to go further to realise its manifesto commitment to shift from sickness to prevention
www.wcrf.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Conference may feel like a distant memory, but I'm still reflecting on the powerful insights shared in Liverpool💡
I've written a blog sharing my key takeaways on how the UK government can deliver its ambition to shift from sickness to prevention.
www.wcrf.org/about-us/new...
#CancerPrevention
I've written a blog sharing my key takeaways on how the UK government can deliver its ambition to shift from sickness to prevention.
www.wcrf.org/about-us/new...
#CancerPrevention
Yesterday @itvnews.bsky.social reported how extortionate formula costs are putting babies at risk.
@jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social urged the UK govt to implement the @cmagovuk.bsky.social's recommendations to make the formula market fairer.
Doing so will also protect breastfeeding.
bit.ly/48TOxfG
@jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social urged the UK govt to implement the @cmagovuk.bsky.social's recommendations to make the formula market fairer.
Doing so will also protect breastfeeding.
bit.ly/48TOxfG
Sikh community calls for help after reports of racially aggravated attacks | ITV News Central (West)
YouTube video by ITV News In Full
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Yesterday @itvnews.bsky.social reported how extortionate formula costs are putting babies at risk.
@jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social urged the UK govt to implement the @cmagovuk.bsky.social's recommendations to make the formula market fairer.
Doing so will also protect breastfeeding.
bit.ly/48TOxfG
@jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social urged the UK govt to implement the @cmagovuk.bsky.social's recommendations to make the formula market fairer.
Doing so will also protect breastfeeding.
bit.ly/48TOxfG
Killer Tactics 2 is out!
Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social @ashorguk.bsky.social for this incredibly important work demonstrating how the alcohol, food and tobacco industries continue to weaken progress on public health under the Labour government.
ash.org.uk/resources/vi...
Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social @ashorguk.bsky.social for this incredibly important work demonstrating how the alcohol, food and tobacco industries continue to weaken progress on public health under the Labour government.
ash.org.uk/resources/vi...
Killer Tactics 2: Business as Usual - ASH
This report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) and the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), a follow-up to 2024’s Killer Tactics report, tells the story of how health...
ash.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Killer Tactics 2 is out!
Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social @ashorguk.bsky.social for this incredibly important work demonstrating how the alcohol, food and tobacco industries continue to weaken progress on public health under the Labour government.
ash.org.uk/resources/vi...
Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social @ashorguk.bsky.social for this incredibly important work demonstrating how the alcohol, food and tobacco industries continue to weaken progress on public health under the Labour government.
ash.org.uk/resources/vi...
Great to attend @henrydimbleby.bsky.social's Ellison Cliffe lecture last night at the Royal Society of Medicine titled "Beyond Obesity".
Henry argued that while widespread use of weight loss drugs may reduce obesity, food-related illness is here to stay unless we seriously improve our diets.
Henry argued that while widespread use of weight loss drugs may reduce obesity, food-related illness is here to stay unless we seriously improve our diets.
October 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Great to attend @henrydimbleby.bsky.social's Ellison Cliffe lecture last night at the Royal Society of Medicine titled "Beyond Obesity".
Henry argued that while widespread use of weight loss drugs may reduce obesity, food-related illness is here to stay unless we seriously improve our diets.
Henry argued that while widespread use of weight loss drugs may reduce obesity, food-related illness is here to stay unless we seriously improve our diets.
Every month that passes without a government response to the inappropriate marketing of infant formula is another missed opportunity to protect babies' health and families from profit greed.
October 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Every month that passes without a government response to the inappropriate marketing of infant formula is another missed opportunity to protect babies' health and families from profit greed.
Reposted by Melissa
As #ECAC5 launches, our Exec. Director of Policy and Research @drgiotamitrou.bsky.social has written this thought-provoking piece: "The smart investment to make: why cancer prevention must be the priority"
www.linkedin.com/pulse/smart-...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/smart-...
The smart investment we can’t afford to ignore: why cancer prevention must be our top priority
By Panagiota Mitrou, Executive Director of Research and Policy, World Cancer Research Fund International The launch of the 5th edition of the European Code against Cancer (ECAC5) by the IARC - Interna...
www.linkedin.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
As #ECAC5 launches, our Exec. Director of Policy and Research @drgiotamitrou.bsky.social has written this thought-provoking piece: "The smart investment to make: why cancer prevention must be the priority"
www.linkedin.com/pulse/smart-...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/smart-...
Reposted by Melissa
“Junk food has become the cultural wallpaper — it’s everywhere, constantly centre stage for young people.”
Youth activist, Alice from @biteback2030.bsky.social told us about her experience of junk food adverts during our Food and Weight Management evidence session.
Youth activist, Alice from @biteback2030.bsky.social told us about her experience of junk food adverts during our Food and Weight Management evidence session.
October 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
“Junk food has become the cultural wallpaper — it’s everywhere, constantly centre stage for young people.”
Youth activist, Alice from @biteback2030.bsky.social told us about her experience of junk food adverts during our Food and Weight Management evidence session.
Youth activist, Alice from @biteback2030.bsky.social told us about her experience of junk food adverts during our Food and Weight Management evidence session.
Great to hear the @resfoundation.bsky.social calling on the Chancellor to implement a new sugar and salt tax at the upcoming budget 👏
We don't see any reason why landlords and lawyers shouldn't pay the same tax rate as their tenants and clients.
October 15, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Great to hear the @resfoundation.bsky.social calling on the Chancellor to implement a new sugar and salt tax at the upcoming budget 👏
Reposted by Melissa
Introducing the CANDO programme, our ambitious new programme with @unisouthampton.bsky.social looking at how body composition and nutrition affect women with breast cancer.
The aim is to help personalise treatments and make them more effective 👇
youtu.be/zSoaTHfuCjA
The aim is to help personalise treatments and make them more effective 👇
youtu.be/zSoaTHfuCjA
CANDO programme – towards better breast cancer treatment and recovery
YouTube video by World Cancer Research Fund
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Introducing the CANDO programme, our ambitious new programme with @unisouthampton.bsky.social looking at how body composition and nutrition affect women with breast cancer.
The aim is to help personalise treatments and make them more effective 👇
youtu.be/zSoaTHfuCjA
The aim is to help personalise treatments and make them more effective 👇
youtu.be/zSoaTHfuCjA
Reposted by Melissa
1 in 12 breast cancer cases are linked to alcohol and it increases the risk of at least 7 types of cancer
We need a National Alcohol Strategy in England inc. mandatory health warnings on alcohol and stricter marketing restrictions
@breastcanceruk.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
We need a National Alcohol Strategy in England inc. mandatory health warnings on alcohol and stricter marketing restrictions
@breastcanceruk.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
One in three adults need alcohol to get on dancefloor – but one group has less shame
The estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is 14 per cent, which increases to 22 per cent in those who drink two glasses of wine a day
www.independent.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
1 in 12 breast cancer cases are linked to alcohol and it increases the risk of at least 7 types of cancer
We need a National Alcohol Strategy in England inc. mandatory health warnings on alcohol and stricter marketing restrictions
@breastcanceruk.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
We need a National Alcohol Strategy in England inc. mandatory health warnings on alcohol and stricter marketing restrictions
@breastcanceruk.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
Reposted by Melissa
October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
1 in 2 Scots don't know that alcohol causes cancer.
Alcohol companies would prefer to keep you in the dark about the link between alcohol and cancer. 🤫
Find out more about alcohol and cancer on our website⬇️
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/information-...
1 in 2 Scots don't know that alcohol causes cancer.
Alcohol companies would prefer to keep you in the dark about the link between alcohol and cancer. 🤫
Find out more about alcohol and cancer on our website⬇️
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/information-...
October 3, 2025 at 9:58 AM
October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
1 in 2 Scots don't know that alcohol causes cancer.
Alcohol companies would prefer to keep you in the dark about the link between alcohol and cancer. 🤫
Find out more about alcohol and cancer on our website⬇️
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/information-...
1 in 2 Scots don't know that alcohol causes cancer.
Alcohol companies would prefer to keep you in the dark about the link between alcohol and cancer. 🤫
Find out more about alcohol and cancer on our website⬇️
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/information-...
Thank you to @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social for meeting @wcrf.org at #LabourConference to talk about our work on cancer prevention, particularly as it relates to alcohol.
We were also pleased to discuss the Rare Cancers Bill, which aims to drive research & investment into treatments for rare cancers.
We were also pleased to discuss the Rare Cancers Bill, which aims to drive research & investment into treatments for rare cancers.
October 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Thank you to @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social for meeting @wcrf.org at #LabourConference to talk about our work on cancer prevention, particularly as it relates to alcohol.
We were also pleased to discuss the Rare Cancers Bill, which aims to drive research & investment into treatments for rare cancers.
We were also pleased to discuss the Rare Cancers Bill, which aims to drive research & investment into treatments for rare cancers.
Was a pleasure to attend a great session by the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at #LabourConference this morning.
@alexmclabour.bsky.social spoke powerfully about the need to shift from sickness to prevention, sharing his own experience of developing type 2 diabetes from preventable causes.
@alexmclabour.bsky.social spoke powerfully about the need to shift from sickness to prevention, sharing his own experience of developing type 2 diabetes from preventable causes.
September 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Was a pleasure to attend a great session by the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at #LabourConference this morning.
@alexmclabour.bsky.social spoke powerfully about the need to shift from sickness to prevention, sharing his own experience of developing type 2 diabetes from preventable causes.
@alexmclabour.bsky.social spoke powerfully about the need to shift from sickness to prevention, sharing his own experience of developing type 2 diabetes from preventable causes.
Yesterday @healthfoundation.bsky.social and @resfoundation.bsky.social hosted a fringe at #LPC25 on tackling health-related inactivity where @skinnock.bsky.social emphasised that the health and wealth of the nation are two sides of the same coin.
September 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Yesterday @healthfoundation.bsky.social and @resfoundation.bsky.social hosted a fringe at #LPC25 on tackling health-related inactivity where @skinnock.bsky.social emphasised that the health and wealth of the nation are two sides of the same coin.
Arrived in a very sunny Liverpool today for #LabourConference ☀️
First stop was the @healthequals.bsky.social stand, which showcases their new #MakeHealthEqual campaign -highlighting that in the UK lives are being cut short by up to 16 years.
Go visit them at stand H3!
First stop was the @healthequals.bsky.social stand, which showcases their new #MakeHealthEqual campaign -highlighting that in the UK lives are being cut short by up to 16 years.
Go visit them at stand H3!
September 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Arrived in a very sunny Liverpool today for #LabourConference ☀️
First stop was the @healthequals.bsky.social stand, which showcases their new #MakeHealthEqual campaign -highlighting that in the UK lives are being cut short by up to 16 years.
Go visit them at stand H3!
First stop was the @healthequals.bsky.social stand, which showcases their new #MakeHealthEqual campaign -highlighting that in the UK lives are being cut short by up to 16 years.
Go visit them at stand H3!
A very exciting opportunity to join our team at @wcrf.org!
🚨 We’re hiring! 🚨
@wcrf.org is looking for a Senior Policy Research Manager to lead global policy research on diet, physical activity & alcohol.
⏳ Apply by 5 Oct | £45–47k | Hybrid London
👉 www.wcrf.org/wp-content/u...
#Hiring #Policy #PublicHealth #cancerprevention
@wcrf.org is looking for a Senior Policy Research Manager to lead global policy research on diet, physical activity & alcohol.
⏳ Apply by 5 Oct | £45–47k | Hybrid London
👉 www.wcrf.org/wp-content/u...
#Hiring #Policy #PublicHealth #cancerprevention
a purple background with the words we 're hiring
ALT: a purple background with the words we 're hiring
media.tenor.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A very exciting opportunity to join our team at @wcrf.org!
Reposted by Melissa
Recent opinion piece in The Guardian highlights that in order to tackle rising levels of alcohol and diet-related diseases and ease pressure on the NHS, regulatory measures such as a minimum unit price for alcohol must be adopted.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on public health: if Labour is serious about reducing illness, it must focus on causes | Editorial
Editorial: A shift to prevention will only succeed if ministers take a bold approach to regulation and lift people out of poverty
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Recent opinion piece in The Guardian highlights that in order to tackle rising levels of alcohol and diet-related diseases and ease pressure on the NHS, regulatory measures such as a minimum unit price for alcohol must be adopted.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Melissa
In 12 months, an extra 620,000 children in England will become eligible for #freeschoolmeals. Wales, Scotland and London are already feeding more children than ever.
But what if expansion of school food could also deliver for UK farmers and producers? ⬇️🥕 bit.ly/4nroz7j
But what if expansion of school food could also deliver for UK farmers and producers? ⬇️🥕 bit.ly/4nroz7j
School meal expansion could deliver £600 million boost for British farmers | Sustain
Food and farming organisations are calling on government to ensure school meal expansion benefits local, sustainable and British farming as well as children's health.
bit.ly
September 9, 2025 at 7:49 AM
In 12 months, an extra 620,000 children in England will become eligible for #freeschoolmeals. Wales, Scotland and London are already feeding more children than ever.
But what if expansion of school food could also deliver for UK farmers and producers? ⬇️🥕 bit.ly/4nroz7j
But what if expansion of school food could also deliver for UK farmers and producers? ⬇️🥕 bit.ly/4nroz7j
Reposted by Melissa
📢 New review from Public Health Scotland: alcohol marketing drives consumption.
The evidence is clear — restricting marketing can reduce alcohol harm and improve health.
We'll continue to push #DCMS to improve marketing regs to protect our health.
🔍 publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
The evidence is clear — restricting marketing can reduce alcohol harm and improve health.
We'll continue to push #DCMS to improve marketing regs to protect our health.
🔍 publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
September 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
📢 New review from Public Health Scotland: alcohol marketing drives consumption.
The evidence is clear — restricting marketing can reduce alcohol harm and improve health.
We'll continue to push #DCMS to improve marketing regs to protect our health.
🔍 publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
The evidence is clear — restricting marketing can reduce alcohol harm and improve health.
We'll continue to push #DCMS to improve marketing regs to protect our health.
🔍 publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
@who.int's new policy brief on food taxes for a healthy diet provides a useful overview of health taxes on food as an effective fiscal policy to:
🍎 create healthier food environments
🍇 promote healthier diets
🥕 reduce the burden of diet-related NCDs including cancer
Check it out: bit.ly/4nezVLB
🍎 create healthier food environments
🍇 promote healthier diets
🥕 reduce the burden of diet-related NCDs including cancer
Check it out: bit.ly/4nezVLB
September 5, 2025 at 10:02 AM
@who.int's new policy brief on food taxes for a healthy diet provides a useful overview of health taxes on food as an effective fiscal policy to:
🍎 create healthier food environments
🍇 promote healthier diets
🥕 reduce the burden of diet-related NCDs including cancer
Check it out: bit.ly/4nezVLB
🍎 create healthier food environments
🍇 promote healthier diets
🥕 reduce the burden of diet-related NCDs including cancer
Check it out: bit.ly/4nezVLB
Good news! The UK Government has today launched its consultation on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s - delivering on a key manifesto promise.
@sustainweb.org has long campaigned for this step, which could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children.
bit.ly/4nbVgoP
@sustainweb.org has long campaigned for this step, which could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children.
bit.ly/4nbVgoP
Government to ban high caffeine energy drinks sales to children | Sustain
Sustain's Children's Food Campaign welcomes the government's plans to ban the sales of high caffeine energy drinks to under-16s as a logical step for drinks that already carry warning labels saying 'n...
bit.ly
September 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Good news! The UK Government has today launched its consultation on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s - delivering on a key manifesto promise.
@sustainweb.org has long campaigned for this step, which could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children.
bit.ly/4nbVgoP
@sustainweb.org has long campaigned for this step, which could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children.
bit.ly/4nbVgoP
Today the UK Government published guidelines for commercial baby food.
This is a welcome step, as levels of salt and sugar in these products are far too high and many have misleading claims. But ultimately, we need mandatory guidelines to achieve meaningful change.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is a welcome step, as levels of salt and sugar in these products are far too high and many have misleading claims. But ultimately, we need mandatory guidelines to achieve meaningful change.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Baby food firms told to cut sugar and stop promoting snacks for under-ones
Manufacturers who do not make products healthier within 18 months may face action, the government says.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Today the UK Government published guidelines for commercial baby food.
This is a welcome step, as levels of salt and sugar in these products are far too high and many have misleading claims. But ultimately, we need mandatory guidelines to achieve meaningful change.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is a welcome step, as levels of salt and sugar in these products are far too high and many have misleading claims. But ultimately, we need mandatory guidelines to achieve meaningful change.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Melissa
We are very pleased to announce that our 2025/2026 grant calls will open on 8 September. This includes the Regular Grant Programme, aimed at senior established researchers and the INSPIRE Research Challenge, for early career researchers www.wcrf.org/research-pol...
August 8, 2025 at 8:33 AM
We are very pleased to announce that our 2025/2026 grant calls will open on 8 September. This includes the Regular Grant Programme, aimed at senior established researchers and the INSPIRE Research Challenge, for early career researchers www.wcrf.org/research-pol...
Alcohol is a known cause of at least 7 cancers yet public awareness of this fact is worryingly low and current policy does not reflect it!
The government must do more to address alcohol harm. Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social for continuing to call for the change we desperately need to see.
The government must do more to address alcohol harm. Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social for continuing to call for the change we desperately need to see.
✍️ Joined by over 30 leading health and policy experts, we have written to Secretary of State Wes Streeting MP, urging him to revisit the current approach to tackling alcohol harm and commit to an evidence-based strategy that reflects the true scale of the current crisis.
ahauk.org/news/health-...
ahauk.org/news/health-...
August 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Alcohol is a known cause of at least 7 cancers yet public awareness of this fact is worryingly low and current policy does not reflect it!
The government must do more to address alcohol harm. Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social for continuing to call for the change we desperately need to see.
The government must do more to address alcohol harm. Thanks to @aha-uk.bsky.social for continuing to call for the change we desperately need to see.
Globally, less than half of all babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed (as recommended by WHO).
As @ioanav.bsky.social wrote in her blog for World Breastfeeding Week:
"Promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding should be a key goal of public health in the 21st century."
As @ioanav.bsky.social wrote in her blog for World Breastfeeding Week:
"Promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding should be a key goal of public health in the 21st century."
Many women struggle to breastfeed or opt not to, often in the absence of adequate support across policy, societal, and healthcare systems.
This is why policies to support as many parents as possible to choose breastfeeding are more needed than ever
www.wcrf.org/about-us/new...
This is why policies to support as many parents as possible to choose breastfeeding are more needed than ever
www.wcrf.org/about-us/new...
Supporting breastfeeding for healthy beginnings, hopeful futures | World Cancer Research Fund
Ioana Vlad, our Senior Policy Research Manager, looks at why investment in policies to promote, protect and support breastfeeding is a win for all.
www.wcrf.org
August 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Globally, less than half of all babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed (as recommended by WHO).
As @ioanav.bsky.social wrote in her blog for World Breastfeeding Week:
"Promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding should be a key goal of public health in the 21st century."
As @ioanav.bsky.social wrote in her blog for World Breastfeeding Week:
"Promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding should be a key goal of public health in the 21st century."