Cancer experts challenged to make meetings healther

Published On Tue 3 Feb 2015 by Roddy Isles

Scotland’s leading experts on cancer will be challenged to make meetings healthier and help practice what they preach when they meet for the annual Scottish Cancer Prevention Network conference on Wednesday February 4^th, World Cancer Day.

The SCPN is launching the `Healthy meetings in 10 lines’ initiative at the conference, which aims to encourage meetings organisers in all walks of life to make meetings healthier.

“We want people to promote healthier meetings and demonstrate that there is no need to sit for hours on end and then be presented with sausage rolls and crisps for lunch,” said Professor Annie Anderson, Co-Director of SCPN.

“Diet and exercise are key aspects of cancer prevention and we have to carry that throughout everything we do.”

The initiative is already gaining support from some of the prominent speakers who are taking part in this week’s event, including Minister for Health Shona Robison MSP and Dr Aileen Keel, the acting Chief Medical Officer for Scotland. All three Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in Scotland, all Directors of Public Health as well as Sir Andrew Cubie (Chair of the National Advisory and Advocacy Group of Healthy Working Lives) and many others have also expressed their support.

“This is clearly something that people recognise as an issue and something that could improve not only our daily diet and exercise but also make meetings that bit more interesting and engaging,” said Professor Anderson.

“If people are going to take on the messages we are giving them about how they can help themselves in preventing cancer, then we have to set a strong example ourselves and lead the way to some extent in providing new methods of breaking some of the bad habits.”

A selection of ambassadors who are supporting the initiative – including MSPs, NHS staff, academics and industry representatives - are going to `score’ their best meetings to help spread the message.

SCPN is also welcoming help from anyone who wants to help change the workplace to facilitate healthy behaviour. Scorecard information is available from scpn@dundee.ac.uk

The Scottish Cancer Prevention Network conference will bring together experts working in all of the major areas of cancer, including representatives from cancer agencies, Government, public health and cancer care professionals.

The conference takes place at the Merchants Hall, Hanover Street, Edinburgh from 9.30am on Wednesday February 4^th, to coincide with World Cancer Day.

The Scottish Cancer Prevention Network is funded by The Scottish Cancer Foundation. The Network is focussed on moving evidence on cancer risk reduction into everyday life, practice and policy. http://www.cancerpreventionscotland.org.uk/.

Roddy Isles
Head of Press
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