How to reduce your cancer risk in 2024

With the start of 2024 and the opportunity for New Year’s Resolutions, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland is encouraging everyone to take this occasion to commit to their health and to a “new year, new you!”. Beyond healthier eating (important as that is), the charity recommends four commitments that could greatly reduce cancer risks, for new or recurring cancers:

1. Quit Smoking

Smoking is the single most entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death in the UK. In Northern Ireland, it is responsible for approximately 35,000 hospital admissions and 2,200 deaths each year. Its health risks include greater probabilities of lung, mouth, and other cancers.

Quitting to smoke can have untold benefits for your health – and for your wallet. Successfully quitting becomes 4x more likely with a stop smoking support service. Learn more and sign up for these services here.

2. Protect Your Skin

Many skin cancers are caused by over exposure to UV radiation from the sun or artificial tanning devices, notably sunbeds. In addition to causing cancers, over-exposure to UV can lead to sunburn and can exacerbate skin aging.

Sunlight helps to provide our bodies with Vitamin D, support bone health, lower blood pressure, prevent disease, and promote good mental health. With skin cancer incidence on the rise, it is very important to enjoy the sun safely and protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation. To protect your skin from UV damage, Cancer Focus NI recommends:

• Using sun protections, including broad-brim hats and sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 and a UVA rating of 4 or more
• Avoiding sunbeds, as even one use can put you at a 20% higher risk of melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer)
• Regularly checking your skin for any new or changing moles or suspicious skin changes (and getting anything concerning checked by your GP)

These three actions can greatly reduce your risk of serious skin cancers, by protecting your skin and by enabling earlier detection. They are equally important whether you are in the sun for fun, for work, or for something else altogether. Click here to learn more about how to protect your skin.

3. Attend your health checks

Health checks and offered screenings are the best way to detect cancers early, when they are easier to treat and less likely to cause life-altering implications. When you have an opportunity to attend a check or undertake a screening, it is highly recommend you do so – it is best to surface potential areas of concern as soon as possible.

It can also be helpful to write down your questions in advance of your appointment, to take notes at your appointment, or to attend your appointments with a family member or friend to have more people asking questions and noting advice.

In between your regular health checks, contact your GP if you notice any new or unusual changes in your body. You are your own best advocate for your health. If you have any questions or are unsure about how to get help, contact the Cancer Focus Northern Ireland “Nurseline,” a nurse-led information helpline, at tel:08007833339 or learn more here.

4. Move more

Exercise has been linked with cancer prevention and with managing some side effects of cancer treatments, including lymphoedema. Cancer Focus Northern Ireland hosts multiple events throughout the year which provide great opportunities to get moving. Why not set yourself a goal this year to get more active and take on a Cancer Focus NI challenge? Begin your training today and run for Cancer Focus NI at this year’s Moy Park Belfast City Women’s 10K or hike the Mournes at our Mourne 7 Summits and Twin Peaks challenges. To learn more, click here.

With that, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland wishes you a happy and healthy new year! If you have any cancer questions, concerns, or support needs, please do reach out to our Nurseline at tel:08007833339 or visit https://cancerfocusni.org/ to learn about our available services.