Cancer awareness
Stop smoking
Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer, and is also linked to many others, including:
- cancers of the mouth, lip and throat
- bladder cancer
- stomach cancer
- cancer of the pancreas, and
- cervical cancer.
Find out more about the help available to quit smoking and to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
Eat healthily
It has been estimated that about one-third of cancers may be influenced by diet.
Eat a diet which is low in fat and high in whole grain cereals, fruit and vegetables, to help protect against cancer of the stomach and bowel.
Keep active
Keeping a healthy body weight and being physically active reduces your risk of bowel, breast and other cancers.
Drink sensibly
Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus. To help avoid this:
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Eat a full meal before drinking;
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Stick to the recommended daily limits (three units for women, four for men);
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Alternate with non-alcoholic drinks throughout the evening.
The Welsh Assembly Government strategy, ‘Working together to reduce harm’ aims to promote sensible drinking as part of a healthy lifestyle, and discourage binge drinking.
Be SunSmart
The Welsh Assembly Government supports Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart Campaign, promoting protection from skin cancer. Sunsmart website (external link)
Take action to prevent mouth cancer
Every five hours, someone in the UK dies as a result of mouth cancer.
Both smoking and drinking can increase a person’s risk by up to 30 times.
The Welsh Assembly Government supports mouth cancer awareness week.
Reduce the risk of cancer in other ways
More information about reducing the risk of cancer is available on the Cancer Research UK website (external link)
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