World Cancer Day 2024 – Close the Care Gap

World Cancer Day 2024

Close the Care Gap is this year’s theme. 42, 000 people in Ireland get cancer every year

One was to close the care gap is to improve Health Literacy, that is, educating and empowering people about how they can reduce their risk.   While not all cancers can be prevented, there are many that are preventable. Here are 10 ways to reduce your risk.

1. No sun beds and wear your sunscreen. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year, and number expected to double by 2040.   Nine out of every 10 cases of skin cancer in Ireland are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds.

2. Stop smoking. One third of all cancers are caused by smoking. More men in Ireland die from lung cancer more than any other cancer.  Cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, kidney, oesophagus, stomach and bowel are also heavily linked with smoking. Not vaping:  Early evidence has linked e-cigarettes to lung tissue damage, cardiovascular issues and an increased risk of asthma attacks. E-cigarettes can contain substances that include tiny particles that reach deep into the lungs, as well as chemicals that are known to cause cancer. Future risk? Children and young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking regular cigarettes compared to those who never used e-cigarettes.

3. Reduce your alcohol intake, the lower the better.

4. Reduce your intake of Red and processed Meat. The WCRF recommends that red meat intake should be limited to less than 500g cooked meat (or 750g raw meat). This equates to roughly 2 to 3 portions per week (12). A portion can be measured as roughly half the size of the palm of your hand.  Processed meat is generally high in calories (energy), fat and salt and there are currently no recommendations for safe intake. High intakes of processed meat could also cause weight gain which we know can increase cancer ris

5. Reduce your intake of processed and highly processed foods. Ultra-processed foods typically have five or more ingredients. They tend to include many additives and ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. These foods generally have a long shelf life. Ultra-processed foods often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar. The processing also affects how we absorb nutrients that are present, and reduce our appetite for nutrients that aren’t included.  Diets high in UPF sociated with increased weight gain. Get nutrition information you can trust:  https://breakthroughcancerresearch.ie/cancer-diet/

6. Get the HPV vaccine if offered/available (protects against 5% of cancers, including cervical, anal, and throat).

7. Practice safe sex (HIV and HPV increase risk of certain cancers.)

8. Get 150-300 minutes of physical activity a week, particularly to reduce your risk of breast, bowel and womb cancer.

9. Maintain a healthy weight

10. Bowel (59-69), breast (women over 50), and cervical screenings (those with cervix over 25) programmes as recommended. Screenings are for people without symptoms or known additional risks, such as certain family histories.