Expert advice on CUTTING CANCER RISKS

IN Ireland, almost 2,600 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. It is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women. Over 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. It is the second most common type of cancer in men and the third most common type of cancer in women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).

The good news is there are small changes that you can make to help reduce your risk of developing these cancers.

I am GP Advisor to the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), and as such we know the risk of developing cancer is influenced by a number of things, such as our age and genetics which we can’t change, but it can also be influenced by modifiable risk factors, in other words, things we can change, such as smoking, diet, alcohol consumption and levels of exercise. Here are some of the changes that you can make to reduce your risk:

Reduce your risk of lung cancer QUITTING SMOKING

Smoking is a significant risk factor, as tobacco contains chemicals that increase the risk of at least 15 types of cancer, including lung cancer. The best form of defence is to not start smoking, or choose to quit if already smoking. Quitting smoking at any stage can help reduce your risk of developing cancer. The HSE has a range of local smoking cessation resources and supports, as well as free nicotine replacement therapy, that may help. For more information, people can visit quit.ie.

CHECK FOR RADON

Another risk factor that can be reduced is your exposure to radon. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the environment, that has no colour, taste or smell, but it can increase the risk of lung cancer in people exposed to high levels over long periods of time. The risk from radon is even higher for smokers, so it is even more important to think about quitting smoking. For more information on how to check radon levels in your home and how to reduce them, visit radon.ie.

Reduce your risk of bowel cancer BODY WEIGHT

Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce risk of bowel cancer and other cancers. Higher body weight can affect your hormone levels and your immune system, increasing risk of cancer. Eating a healthy balanced diet, being physically active, getting enough sleep and taking care of your mental health can all help to maintain a healthy body weight throughout life.

EATING WELL

Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods can help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce your cancer risk. Looking after your overall diet is more important than focusing on individual foods. Eat foods high in fibre such as fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses, but try to avoid processed meat and limit red meat, as these have been linked to bowel cancer.

EXERCISE

Physical activity helps reduce your risk of bowel and other cancers by promoting healthy hormone and insulin levels, reducing inflammation and helping maintain a healthy body weight. Any amount of activity is better than none. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise across each week (where you are a little out of breath, but can talk comfortably) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise across each week (activities that raise your heart rate, make you sweat and feel out of breath). It is advised to include muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on two or more days a week.

ALCOHOL

When alcohol is broken down in your body it can damage your body’s cells. Alcohol increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, breast, stomach and bowel. You can reduce your risk of cancer if you do not drink alcohol. The less you drink, the lower your risk of cancer. For more information on how to cut down visit askaboutalcohol.ie.

BOWEL SCREENING

Bowel cancer screening aims to detect signs of bowel cancer at an early stage, before there are any symptoms. Screening involves taking a sample of your poo (stool sample) using a home test. The test is a simple way for you to collect a small sample of your poo at home. This may sound embarrassing or unpleasant, but it only takes a few minutes. You can get free bowel cancer screening if you are age 59 to 69 and live in Ireland. Register for screening today, freephone 1800 454555 or visit bowelscreen.ie

BE SYMPTOM AWARE

Know the signs of symptoms of cancer and do not ignore any unusual changes in your body.

Lung cancer signs and symptoms can include:

■ A new cough lasting more than three weeks or a change to your usual cough

■ Breathlessness more than is normal for you

■ Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

■ Feeling very tired all the time, more than is normal for you

■ Coughing up blood

■ Unexplained chest pain

■ Chest infections that keep coming back.

Bowel cancer signs and symptoms can include:

■ Change in your bowel habit for more than 6 weeks (e.g. looser poo, pooing more often, or constipation)

■ Unexplained bleeding from your back passage

■ Unexplained pain in your tummy or back passage

■ Unexplained lump or swelling in your tummy

■ Unexplained weight loss

■ Feeling very tired all the time, more than is normal for you.

Please don’t panic if you are experiencing any of these symptoms as they may be caused by something less serious. But if you notice any changes or something different for you, it is important to contact your GP to get it checked. Early diagnosis can improve your chances of survival. The good news is that more and more people are surviving cancer. Currently, there are over 200,000 people living with cancer in Ireland.

To help people reduce their risk of these cancers and spot the signs and, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN) are hosting a free public webinar called ‘Reduce your risk of lung and bowel cancer,’ this Thursday from 1pm – 2.15pm. To register for the webinar visit hse. ie/cancerprevention.