Reduce Your Risk

Some cancers can be prevented - simple changes can reduce your risk of getting cancer

1. Smoking is responsible for a third of all cancers (lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, kidney, cervix, bladder and pancreas) Improve the health of your family and friends too by quitting or not smoking in their company You have nothing to lose only money, your good looks, good health and that nasty cough. (9 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking - if we didn't smoke instead of 41,000 people being told they have lung cancer every year the number would be nearer 4,000)

Smoking is the single biggest threat to your health - it makes you more at risk from heart disease which also affects 1 in 3 people.

2. Moderate your consumption of alcoholic drinks maximum 1unit recommended for women and 2-3 units for men per day (small glass of wine or ½ pint beer = 1 unit).

3. Healthy Eating (1/3 of all cancers could be prevented by changing our diets) Eat 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day, frequently eat fibre & drink lots of water. Reduce the amount of fats, red meat (lamb, pork and beef), processed meat (sausages, salami, ham, bacon, paté, and corned beef), sugar and salt that you eat.

4. Healthy body weight after quitting smoking keeping a health body weight is one of the best ways to reduce your changes of getting cancer.

5. Regular exercise (½ hr at least 3 (ideally 5) times week) combined with a balanced diet is the best way of maintaining a healthy body weight. This will help to reduce the risk of cancer of the bowel, breast and prostate whilst making you feel and look better. You do not have to join an expensive gym, a brisk walk, digging the garden, a bike ride or a swim at the local swimming pool can be just as effective. Get a friend to join you and make it fun.

6. Follow the sun smart code:

Avoid the sun when at its height (usually 11am - 3pm)
Take care never to burn
Use shade whenever possible
Use factor 15+ sunscreen
Cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
Take extra special care of babies' and children's delicate skin
Avoid sunbeds - they can cause skin cancer and wrinkles

Ask your GP to check out any changes in a mole or unusual skin growths

7. Make an appointment to see your GP if:

You are having more frequent bowel motions that lasts longer than six weeks or if you notice blood in your bowel motions.

You have a persistent problem such as a persistent cough, reoccurring chest infections or hoarseness that lasts longer than three weeks.

You notice a lump or swelling anywhere on the body. Check yourself out - be aware of changes in your breasts - men should check their testicles and get to know what is normal for them so if there is a change they will be able to detect it an early stage.

You need to pass urine urgently or more often, are unable to go when you need to, or experience pain when you do or if you notice blood in your urine. Many men have problems passing urine as they get older and most of these changes are caused by the prostate gland enlarging.

You lose weight when you have not changed the amount or what you eat. After quitting smoking keeping a health body weight is one of the best ways to reduce your changes of getting cancer.

8. Screening can and does save lives

Men and Women will be invited to take part in: The National Bowel Screening Programme has started in Gloucestershire. Men and women aged between 60-69 years old will be screened every two years.

See Bowel Cancer for more information.

Women will also be invited by their GPs to attend:

Cobalt House Breast screening - every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 70 (if you would like to continue having mammograms after that time you can ring 01242 251081 and request further appointments).