It is estimated that about one third of cases of the most common cancers can be prevented through healthy food choices, regular physical activity and a healthy body weight. An additional one third of all cases of cancer can be prevented by choosing not to smoke and avoiding exposure to second hand smoke.
The choices that we make, healthy or otherwise, are influenced by many things – some within our individual control and some not. In the end, preventing cancer and staying health is everyone's job.
For help quitting smoking:
These practical tips will help you get started:
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has released updated Canadian guidance on alcohol and health. Alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of death, disease and disability worldwide. Alcohol use is a contributing cause of more than 200 diseases and health conditions, including 7 types of cancer:
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The updated guidance on alcohol and health advises that if you choose to drink, it is better to drink less. Not drinking has many benefits, including better health and better sleep. Your risk of cancer increases when you consume 3 or more standard drinks in a week. Each additional drink increases your risk more.
The risk for alcohol-related harms is strongly influenced by our social, economic and physical environments, including:
Learn ways to put the new guidance on alcohol and health into practice:
Skin cancer rates have been increasing steadily in Canada over the past 30 years and Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of melanoma skin cancer in Canada. Overexposure to the sun is the primary environmental cause of skin cancer.
Use these helpful resources to stay safe in the sun:
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Health Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Dermatology Association promotes sun safety thought the Sun Safety at Work program.
Find useful information and support at the Sun Safety at Work Resource Library.
For more information, email sunsafety@eastlink.ca.