Lifestyle changes can help reduce risk of cancer

Date published: 12/05/2008

People are being urged to make lifestyle changes to help prevent cancer, this week being national Cancer Awareness Week.

Locally, 36% of cancer deaths are attributed to smoking or dietary related cancers such as lung and colorectal. This is higher than the England and Wales average of 32%.

“Evidence suggests that around half of all cases of cancer diagnosed in the UK could be avoided if people made changes to their lifestyle,” said Michelle Loughin, lead of the Borough’s healthy lifestlyes strategy, Do you feel good?

She added: “More than one in three people in this country will get cancer but the habits we adopt earlier in life can alter our risk.

"There are a number of things people can work on to improve their health and help to reduce their risk of getting cancer. The biggest offender is smoking. Smoking or using tobacco in any form significantly increases the risk of cancer and other serious diseases. It is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world and accounts for one in four UK cancer deaths. Half of all smokers eventually die because of their habit.

"Alcohol consumption also increases your risk of cancer so if you choose to drink, do so in moderation. It’s important that people manage their weight through getting active and having a well balanced diet. 33% of all cancers could be attributed to poor diet but the risk can be lowered by eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, reducing the amount of fat, sugar and salt, and increasing fibre intake. Adults who are physically active have a 20-30% reduced risk of premature death. Being active is particularly effective at reducing the risks of colon cancer, with highly active individuals having a 40-50% lower risk of developing the disease.

"One form of cancer that many take for granted is skin cancer. Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, leads to 1,800 deaths a year in the UK and the number of cases are growing faster than the incidence of breast and prostate cancer. It’s important that people stay safe in the sun by covering up with loose fitting clothing and a hat. Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or above and find shade when the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm."

Top tips for a healthy lifestyle:

• Don’t smoke.
• Eat a healthy balanced diet, including 5 fruit and veg per day.
• Manage your weight.
• Try to get active for 30 minutes five times a week.
• Use SPF 15 sun screen in the sun