Cancer Research UK: Get facts and information about how to reduce your risk of cancer

Advertisement feature: Most of us know the steps advised to keep ourselves healthy, whether it’s cutting down on red and processed meat, sugar and alcohol, eating more fruit and vegetables or keeping physically active. But let’s be honest, there are times when something holds us back from taking them on board.
Ad Feature by Cancer Research UK
Published 9th Mar 2023, 16:44 BST
Get support to make healthy choices and help cut your risk of cancerGet support to make healthy choices and help cut your risk of cancer
Get support to make healthy choices and help cut your risk of cancer

Maybe it’s the thought that illness might strike no matter what we do or perhaps it’s the idea of missing out on life’s little pleasures. After all, the suggestion of a chocolate bar, cream cake or glass of wine does have a certain appeal and everyone deserves a treat – no arguments there.

But everyone deserves the best chance to stay healthy and well for as long as possible too, so starting to make small, sustainable changes are key.

Healthy habits

Make the most of the resources from Talk Cancer and separate myths from factsMake the most of the resources from Talk Cancer and separate myths from facts
Make the most of the resources from Talk Cancer and separate myths from facts

Talk Cancer is a nurse-led training programme run by Cancer Research UK to raise awareness at community level of risks, and the importance of early detection. Among other things, it advocates healthy habits and gives practical tips on how to make them more achievable.

Gill Kilgour, Nurse Lead for Talk Cancer, explained: “It’s not realistic to change everything completely but making small changes that can be maintained is the best approach.

“That might be something as simple as using a smaller plate to reduce portion sizes or getting off the bus a stop earlier to increase activity levels. These things can all help to make a difference.”

Awareness training

The Talk Cancer team run regular awareness training in a workshop format to give people more knowledge and the confidence to start conversations around cancer in their communities.

The sessions provide factual, up-to-date information with a focus on empowering people to make their own health choices. They cover the main risk factors, which include smoking, obesity, diet, alcohol and sunburn, and highlight the steps we can all take to stay healthy.

Scientific evidence

Unfortunately, as we know, it doesn’t always follow that people who make healthy choices won’t become ill – whether with cancer, heart disease or other conditions. But Cancer Research UK points to solid scientific evidence showing that it not only reduces the risk of cancer but can also help people to cope with any treatment required.

Understanding the many different types of cancer and the ways to detect it have improved significantly in recent years, along with five-year survival rates which have doubled since the 1970s. And, in most cases, the earlier it’s found, the better the outlook.

Cancer prevention

“There are no downsides to having healthy habits and we know that, if we all did, then 40 per cent of cancer cases could be prevented,” added Gill.

Some groups can receive the awareness training for free and can use the online eligibility checker to find out more.

For more details or to book a Talk Cancer workshop, ring 020 3469 8111, email [email protected] or visit http://www.cruk.org/talkcancer.

Related topics:Cancer Research UK