The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) is committed to supporting groundbreaking cancer research and promoting accurate, science-based health information. In light of recent public discussions and a fact-check article published by the Taiwan FactCheck Center, we wish to clarify AFCR’s position and reaffirm our dedication to scientific integrity and transparency.
The article addressed misinformation surrounding the relationship between vitamin B12 and cancer and interpretations of global cancer incidence data. We are grateful to the Taiwan FactCheck Center for its efforts to provide the public with evidence-based analysis and to correct potential misinterpretations.
AFCR recently published a video and accompanying article that presented publicly available global cancer incidence data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 2020). These materials aimed to raise awareness about the global and regional burden of cancer, with emphasis on well-recognized contributing factors such as age, environment, and lifestyle.
We would like to clearly state the following:
- AFCR does not claim or suggest that vitamin B12 causes cancer.
- We do not state that Taiwan has the highest cancer incidence in Asia.
- At no point do our materials convey messages of shame or blame toward any population or region.
While Taiwan’s reported cancer incidence (~315.86 per 100,000) is higher than some neighboring areas, our intent was solely to present comparative data in a factual and respectful manner to help the public better understand cancer trends.
It has come to our attention that a third-party video cited AFCR data and introduced personal commentary that inaccurately linked vitamin B12 levels with Taiwan’s cancer incidence rate. We wish to make it clear that this interpretation does not reflect AFCR’s position, and we appreciate the Taiwan FactCheck Center’s efforts to correct the record.
As an organization deeply rooted in the principles of science and public health, AFCR stands firmly against the spread of misinformation. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with media, researchers, and public health institutions to ensure that cancer-related information shared with the public is both accurate and responsibly presented.
For any questions about our research, educational content, or collaborations, please contact us.
