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Preventing Cancer: . Live well *Be aware* Get involved. Presentation prepared by: Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Public Affairs, Prevention, May 2012, v3. How we’re fighting cancer. doing everything we can to prevent cancer funding research to outsmart cancer
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Preventing Cancer: Live well *Be aware* Get involved Presentation prepared by: Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Public Affairs, Prevention, May 2012, v3
How we’re fighting cancer • doing everything we can to prevent cancer • funding research to outsmart cancer • empowering, informing and supporting Canadians living with cancer • advocating for public policies to improve the health of Canadians • rallying Canadians to get involved in the fight against cancer
What do we mean by ‘cancer prevention’? • Can lifestyle changes make a difference? • Can all cancers be prevented?
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Live well. Make healthy choices. Be aware. Look after yourself. Get involved. Help reduce risks for everyone.
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke. • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in Canada. • Smoking can also increase the risk of developing other cancers. • No amount of second-hand smoke is safe. Need help quitting? Call Smoker’s Helpline at 1 877 513-5333
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Keep a healthy body weight. Be active and eat well. • Up to 35% of all cancers can be prevented by eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy body weight. • People who are overweight are at greater risk for developing certain cancers. • Physical activity is also one of the best ways to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. • Regular physical activity can help protect against colon, breast and uterine cancers.
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Keep a healthy body weight. Be active and eat well. • Limit red meat. • Limit processed meats. • Watch your salt. • Watch your sugar. • Choose healthy fats. • Choose high-fibre foods. • Reach for vegetables and fruit.
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Know the risks of alcohol. The less you drink, the more you reduce your risk. • Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of developing several types of cancer. • If you choose to drink, limit how much. • Women – less than 1 drink a day • Men – less than 2 drinks a day
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Protect your skin. Be safe in the sun and don’t use tanning beds. • Learn how to use the UV Index. • Plan your activities. • Cover up – hat, clothes, sunglasses. • Use sunscreen. • Avoid indoor tanning. • Check your skin regularly.
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Get enough vitamin D from the sun, supplements and your diet. • Talk to your doctor about taking 1000 international units (IU) a day during fall and winter months. • Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a vitamin D supplement all year round if you: • are over 50 • have dark skin • don’t go outside very much • wear clothing covering most of your skin
Live well*Be aware*Get involved Know your body and watch for changes in your: • skin • breasts – at all ages • testicles – starting at 15
Live well*Be aware*Get involved • Report any changes in your health to your doctor. • changes in your bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks • unexplained weight loss • new lumps or growths • changes in bladder habits • difficulty swallowing • blood in your urine, stool or phlegm
Live well*Be aware*Get involved • Get checked and help find cancer early. • breast cancer • cervical cancer • colon cancer • prostate cancer
Live well*Be aware*Get involved • Check your family’s cancer history. • Discuss screening with your doctor if you have a family history of cancer.
Live well*Be aware*Get involved • What else can increase your cancer risk? • certain viruses and bacteria (example: HPV) • artificial hormones (example: hormone replacement therapy)
Live well*Be aware*Get involved • Get rid of harmful substances at work and at home. • Test your home for radon. • Use experts to remove asbestos safely if you have it in your home. • Find out if there are harmful substances in your workplace. • Use safer alternatives or ask for them to be used. • Follow safety rules and ask for information and protective equipment.
Live well*Be aware*Get involved • Raise awareness about cancer prevention in your community. • Reduce cancer risks for the next generation. • Fight for public policy to make healthy living easier for everyone. • Find out how you can help the Society fight for change right now. • Become a volunteer!
For the most up-to-date information: • visit www.cancer.ca • call the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 Thank you! Presentation prepared by: Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Public Affairs, Prevention May 2012