Do not smoke - Smoking causes nearly all cases of lung cancer and is a risk factor for other cancers i.e. mouth, throat, food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, kidney, cervix, bladder and pancreatic cancer

Moderate your consumption of alcoholic drinks maximum 2 units recommended for women and 3-4 units for men per day (small glass of wine or ½ pint beer = 1 unit)

Healthy Eating (1/3 of all cancers could be prevented by changing our diets) Eat 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day, frequently eat fibre & drink lots of water, reduce the amount of fats, red meat, sugar and salt that you eat. For more detailed dietary information contact the cancer prevention service on 01242 535900.

Regular exercise (½ hr at least 3 (ideally 5) times week) combined with a balanced diet is the best way of maintaining a healthy body weight. This will help to reduce the risk of cancer of the bowel, breast and prostate whilst making you feel and look better. You do not have to join an expensive gym, a brisk walk, a bike ride or a swim at the local swimming pool can be just as effective. Get a friend to join you and make it fun!!!

• Avoid the sun when at its height (usually 11am – 3pm)
• Take care never to burn
• Use shade whenever possible: trees, umbrellas, shelters
• Take extra special care of babies’ and children’s delicate skin

Follow health and safety instructions at work, concerning production, handling or use of any substance.

See your doctor if you notice a lump, observe a change in a mole, or abnormal bleeding

See a doctor if you have a persistent problem such as a persistent cough, hoarseness, change in bowel/urinary habits or an unexplained weight loss

Check yourself out - be aware of changes in your breasts - men should check their testicles – get to know what is normal so if there is a change you will be able to detect it at an early stage.

Men and Women will be invited to take part in:

The National Bowel Screening Programme is starting in Gloucestershire. Men and women aged between 60-69 years old will be screened every two years. (See Bowel Cancer for more information)

Women will also be invited by their GPs to attend:

• Breast screening - every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 70 (if you would like to continue having mammograms after that time you can ring 01242 251081 and request further appointments)
• Cervical smear testing - between the ages of 20 and 64 (you are recalled for testing every 3 years up to the age of 50 then every 5 years until 64)