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Cancer
Last updated 30 March 2010
Simple steps to reduce your risk of getting cancer.
Stop smoking
Smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world. If you smoke, giving up is the most important thing you can do for your health.
Stay in shape
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing cancer of the bowel, kidney, food pipe, gallbladder, pancreas and womb. It also increases the risk of breast cancer in women who have been through the menopause.
Take some regular exercise
Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of bowel cancer and breast cancer. Try to take at least half an hour of moderate activity on five or more days a week.
Eat and drink healthily
Our diet affects our risk of developing certain cancers, including cancer of the bowel, stomach, mouth, and food pipe.
Limit your alcohol intake
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing cancer of the mouth, upper throat, voice box, food pipe, liver, bowel and breast. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk.
Be SunSmart
Too much sun ages your skin and can cause skin cancer.
Go for cancer screening
Tests called ‘screening’ can pick up unusual changes early so that treatment is more effective.
Practise safer sex
Some sexually transmitted infections can cause cancer. The hepatitis B virus is a common cause of cancer that starts in the liver and can be spread through unprotected sex.
Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused By Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV infection is very common, but most women who have had it will not develop cervical cancer.
