`We can, I can’ – Scottish Cancer Prevention Network on World Cancer Day
Published On Thu 4 Feb 2016 by Roddy Isles
Scotland’s leading experts on cancer will are gathering on World Cancer Day today (February 4th) to outline how everyone, from governments and health authorities to individuals, can take action against the disease.
Experts say around one-third of the most common cancers in the UK could be prevented by changes in diet, physical activity and body weight.
The Scottish Cancer Prevention Network’s fifth annual World Cancer Day conference takes place in the Merchants’ Hall in Edinburgh with the theme of `We Can, I Can’.
“The theme this year is ‘We Can, I Can’, designed to highlight the fact that we - organisations, governments, health professionals - can take action against cancer, but also, as individuals, we can take steps to stack the odds against developing cancer,” said Professor Annie Anderson, of the University of Dundee and Co-Director of the SCPN.
“Cancer is said to be our number one fear but many people still think there is little that can be done to stop it happening and they will say it is down to genes, bad luck or fate. But about a third of many of the most common cancers in the UK could be prevented by changes in diet, physical activity and body weight. Add in smoking and the preventability estimate increases.
“In Scotland we cannot ignore cancer now and we cannot ignore future predictions. Government figures show that the number of new cases of cancer is predicted to rise by 33% between now and 2023-2027.
“Scotland has shown leadership in smoke-free public places and on minimum pricing on alcohol so should be leading on effective ways to decrease obesity, poor diet and inactivity- but is it?
“There needs to be strong voices for supporting diet and lifestyle change for cancer prevention. Our aim with the SCPN and the conference is to showcase excellent work around cancer prevention in Scotland and to share that in research centres, communities and health boards across the country.”
The conference will include an address from Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing & Sport.
Speakers include some of the leading cancer researchers and senior healthcare figures from across Scotland and the UK.
Among them is Dr Drew Walker, Director of Public Health for NHS Tayside, who will speak about the `health equity’ challenge presented by obesity and cancer.
“Obesity and cancer can affect all sections of society, but both occur more often in less affluent populations, poorer populations respond less well to prevention programmes such as screening, and more affluent people obtain better outcomes from obesity and cancer prevention and treatment,” said Dr Walker.
“These health inequalities need to become more of a focus for everyone involved in obesity and cancer prevention and treatment.”
The SCPN World Cancer Day conference takes place from 10am on Thursday February 4th at the Merchants’ Hall, Hanover Street, Edinburgh.
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. See: http://www.cancerpreventionscotland.org.uk/
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Roddy Isles
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Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk