A science researcher from Westport has joined an international research project to identify how people can cut their cancer risk by changing their diets.
The Irish Cancer Society announced this week that it is funding a new research fellowship for Dr Amy Mullee at the World Health Organisation’s specialised cancer agency.
Dr Mullee will work for two years at the headquarters of the world renowned International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, before returning to Ireland to continue her research here at the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, based in University College Dublin.
Her research will help to introduce more dietary monitoring in Ireland to explore and identify the risk factors that may lead to cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO ), making dietary changes is an important approach in cancer prevention and control because of the strong link between obesity and many types of cancers, such as breast, kidney, colorectal, oesophageal and endometrial cancers.
It is hoped Dr Mullee’s research will go on to influence public health policy and recommendations for cancer prevention in Ireland and across Europe.
Dr Mullee said she felt “very lucky” to have the opportunity to contribute to this area of research in Ireland.
“It is estimated that 30 per cent of cancers are preventable through lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes,” she outlined.
“I look forward to collaborating closely with IARC and the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre in Dublin over the coming years.”
The Irish Cancer Society has invested €36.5 million in cancer research since 1963.
