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 sunbeds and wear your sunscreen.

2. Stop smoking

3. Reduce your alcohol intake

4. Reduce your intake of Red Meat

5. Reduce your intake of processed and highly processed foods.

6. Get the HPV vaccine if offered/available (protects against 5% of cancers!).

7. Practice safe sex (reduce your risk of HIV/HPV).

8. Get 150-300 minutes of physical activity a week

9. Maintain a healthy weight

10. Attend bowel, breast, and cervical screen programmes as recommended