The Newcastle University study funded by Netherlands-based charity, by Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WKOF), published in Cancer found people with the healthiest lifestyle had a 16% lower risk of dying from any cause after a cancer diagnosis than the least healthy.

The evidence showed that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations (healthy weight, physically active, fruit and veg, limiting meat and alcohol) improve survival after a later cancer diagnosis.  

Nadia Ameyah, director of WKOF, part of the World Cancer Research Fund, said: ‘This tremendously exciting study further cements the status of our evidence-based recommendations as one of the best ways of maintaining your health when living with and beyond cancer.

‘We have always prided ourselves on the scientific grounding of our recommendations for primary prevention, and this is the first time we have had such robust evidence for survivorship. Cancer survivorship and quality of life after cancer diagnosis are key priorities of WKOF.'