Cancer is the leading cause of death in Northern Ireland. By the age of 75, more than one in three of the population will be affected by cancer with one in four deaths resulting from cancer. However, more people are surviving cancer. When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is more likely to be successful. So finding cancer early can make a real difference.
The Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department provide cancer prevention information sessions for men and women of all ages in workplaces, colleges and communities throughout the Western Trust Area. The aim is to provide people with knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the most common cancers that could affect them.
We also provide training for people interested in delivering cancer prevention information sessions within their local community.
The main cancers covered within these sessions include
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Bowel Cancer
- Skin Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
For more information:
European Code against Cancer
Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco.
- Make your home smoke free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace.
Take action to be a healthy body weight.
- Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting.
Have a healthy diet
- Eat plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits.
- Limit high-calorie foods (food high in sugar or fat) and avoid sugary drinks.
- Avoid processed meat; limit red meat and foods high in salt.
If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.
Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use sunbeds.
In the workplace, protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions.
Find out if you are exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your home. Take action to reduce high radon levels.
For women:
- Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of certain cancers. Limit use of HRT
- Ensure your children take part in vaccination programmes for :
- Hepatitis B (newborns)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls
Take part in organised cancer screening programmes for
- Bowel cancer (men and women)
- Breast Cancer (women)
- Cervical cancer (women)
Contacts
Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department
02871865127
health.improvement@westerntrust.hscni.net