Reduce Your Risk

Reduce the risk
Because of past research the current generation is more in the know about cancer than ever before, and we now know that the habits we adopt early in life can alter the risk - sometimes dramatically. We aim to provide information for younger people on preventing cancer in conjunction with the Cancer Research UK Reduce the Risk Campaign

Don't smoke!
Smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world and half of all smokers eventually die because of their habit. If that doesn't put you off think of the changes in your appearance if you do continue to smoke; your teeth and fingers will turn yellow, your skin will go grey and you will wrinkle prematurely. Not an attractive look. The good news is that quitting (and not starting up again) can greatly reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases. We know it's hard, but there are lots of treatments and support available to help you quit for good.

Stay in shape
Keeping a healthy bodyweight and getting enough physical activity are proven ways of reducing you risk of breast, bowel and other cancers. You should try to balance the energy you take in from food with the energy you burn through activity. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise like walking or swimming five days a week can help to keep you healthy. Even better than that try for something a bit more energetic three times a week, such as dancing, rollerblading or playing football.

Eat and drink healthily
Alcohol is a proven cause of many types cancer including mouth and breast cancer. We're not saying you can't have a life, by all means go out and have fun but try to limit the amount you drink to recommended levels. Binge drinking is a big no-no a side from the increased cancer risk you also make yourself vulnerable when you drink so much that you do not know what you are doing. What you eat can also affect your risk of cancer, and getting a healthy balanced diet can help you reduce your risk. Aim for a diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables but low in fat, red meat and processed foods.

Be SunSmart
You should always try to protect yourself from the sun and harmful UV rays, even here in the UK. Cover up and take care not to burn. Watch moles for any changes and get unusual skin blemishes checked out by your doctor. Avoid sunbeds like the plague; it's much better to be pale and interesting for the whole of your life than to have it cut short by skin cancer. And who wants to look like they've been tangoed? Remember the SunSmart Code!

Spend time in the shade between 11am-3pm
Make sure you never burn
Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
Remember to take extra care with children
Then use factor 15+ sunscreen

Look after number one
Know your body, be aware of any changes and please contact your doctor if you notice anything unusual and are worried about it. Read more about checking yourself in the body awareness section of the Cancer Research UK 'healthy living' website:
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/

You should ALWAYS go for screening when invited - it could save you life.
All of this information and much more can be obtained from the Cancer Research UK 'reduce the risk' website:
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/reducetherisk/

Thank you for your support
The Operation Hoodie Team