can cancer be prevented?

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, experts estimate that about a third of cancers could be prevented through our diet, physical activity and weight management choices. Alongside not smoking, these are the most important things we can do to reduce our risk of the disease. This is positive news for you, your family and friends interested in reducing their risk:

• do not smoke or use tobacco in any form; if you do, try to give up
  Many people are aware of the link between smoking and a number of cancers. Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) has some factual information about the risks.

Tobacco significantly increases the chances of getting cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, there is a link to smoking in almost 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer. Smoke can also get into other body organs; there is a link between smoking and cancer of the mouth, larynx (voice box), pharynx, oesophagus (gullet), stomach, bladder, kidney, pancreas, liver and cervix.

Chewing tobacco and using snuff are also dangerous. They can cause cancers of the mouth and face.

If you do smoke, there are many benefits from stopping smoking, including reducing your risk of developing cancer and heart disease, and generally improving your health. For more information on the benefits of stopping smoking, click here.

For information and advice on giving up smoking, try the Isle of Man Quit4You service, or UK charity QUIT. Our useful contacts section also has details of other organisations that can offer information and advice about giving up smoking.

• eat healthily
  People who eat a lot of fat and meat – especially red meat - seem more likely to get certain cancers (such as bowel cancer), so cutting down on these foods makes good sense. We also believe that eating more fruit and vegetables helps to protect against cancer.

The 'eatwell plate' from the Food Standards Agency aims to make healthy eating easier to understand by showing the types and proportions of foods we need to have a healthy and well balanced diet. Click here to learn more about the 'eatwell plate'.  

The UK Department of Health is encouraging everyone to move towards increasing the amounts of fruit and vegetables we eat. Information about the 5 a day programme can be found on the UK Department of Health website. You can also find 'frequently asked questions' about what counts towards the daily recommended intake of fruit and vegetables.

• maintain a healthy body weight and keep active
  Being very underweight or overweight increases your cancer risk. A sensible diet and some exercise will help to keep you at the right weight.
  
  
• don’t drink too much alcohol
  Some types of cancer are more common in heavy drinkers. These include cancers of the liver, throat, oesophagus (gullet) and mouth. People who smoke and drink a lot are even more at risk.
  
  
• protect yourself in the sun
  Most skin cancers are caused by being out in the sun too much (or on a sunbed). You can protect yourself by covering yourself up when out in the sun and using a high factor suncream.
  
  
• take care at work
  If you are exposed to certain substances or chemicals (for example asbestos, benzidene, arsenic) you are more likely to get cancer. Protect yourself by following all the health and safety rules.
  
  
• get to know your body, and watch out for changes
  For example, you can examine your breasts regularly for lumps or thickening, and for puckering skin and other changes.
  
  Men can check their testicles for lumps.
  
  Changes like these may be early signs of cancer. The sooner a cancer is found, the better the chance of a cure.
  
  Our symptoms to look out for section has a list of some of the possible early signs of cancer.
  
  
• take part in screening tests
  Screening tests help to find cancer early. Cervical screening tests can even spot danger cells before they turn into cancer. For more information on the screening programmes available in the Isle of Man, click here.

The Isle of Man Department of Health & Social Security (DHSS) website has more information about their work to promote healthy lifestyles for Island residents - to find out more click here.