Early detection of cancer

Prevention is, without doubt, the most effective approach to reducing the impact of cancer on our communities. The World Health Organisation estimates that between 30-50% of all cancers are preventable. Factors that increase cancer risk include:

• tobacco use
• physical inactivity
• obesity
• alcohol use
• exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation (sunbeds and sunburn)

National cancer screening programmes are aimed at detecting early changes that can, if left untreated, develop into cancers. Screening is therefore a key tool in our prevention strategy.