Question 1

Tobacco cessation

Accepted Answer

Supporting people to successfully stop smoking is one of the key ways in which we can help to improve overall health, not just from cancer, but many other medical problems.The day you stop smoking, your body starts clearing itself of toxins and the repair process begins. The earlier you quit smoking, the more you're likely to benefit. But it's never too late – because quitting will improve your health whatever your age and no matter how long you have smoked.You'll notice some benefits within days or weeks:your sense of taste and smell improvesyou start to breathe more easilyyou have more energyyour mental health and wellbeing will improve​Your longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will also be significantly reduced:after 1 year, the risk of heart attack halves compared to a smoker'safter 10 years, the risk of death from lung cancer falls to half that of a smokerafter 15 years, the risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked
Evidence shows that after the withdrawal stage of quitting, people have reduced anxiety, depression and stress. People who have quit also have increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke.Other benefits will follow, including better blood circulation to your heart and muscles, which will make physical activity easier; improved lung function, leading to reductions in any cough, wheezing or other breathing problems.You will also be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, bone disease including osteoporosis, eye disease and dementia.Stop Smoking LondonThere isn’t a one-size-fits-all way to quit smoking. You can choose options that work best for you, and that’s where Stop Smoking London can help.They can direct you to free services, which may include Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), and provide guidance and support that will boost your chances of quitting.Find out more at: Stop Smoking London - We're Here to Help You Quit Smoking

Question 2

Diet and Nutrition

Accepted Answer

Eating a healthy and balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing cancer. This is partly because of the food itself, but mainly because a healthy, balanced diet helps to keep a healthy weight. A healthy diet means eating mostly:fruit and vegetableswholegrains such as wholewheat pasta, oats and wholemeal breadhealthy protein sources like chicken, fish and pulsesAnd cutting down on:processed and red meatalcoholfoods that are high in fat, sugar and salt
Eating red or processed meat may also increase the risk of bowel cancer, as it damages the cells of the bowel. The main way diet affects the risk of cancer is to do with body weight. Eating lots of sugary food and drink, high-calorie food, and foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt, can lead to being overweight or obese. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you to keep a healthy weight, which can reduce your risk of cancer. When it comes to cancer risk, your overall diet is more important than individual foods. As part of a healthy, balanced diet eat more:High-fibre foods: A diet high in fibre, including plenty of wholegrains, can help reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Wholegrains are foods like wholewheat pasta, oats and wholemeal bread. All wholegrains are high in fibre. Foods that are high in fibre help you poo more often, and keep the gut healthy. This reduces cell damage in the bowel, which means bowel cancer is less likely.Dairy: Dairy products, like milk, cheese and yogurt, can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. There is good evidence that eating and drinking dairy products lowers the risk of bowel cancer. This is likely to be because it is high in calcium.

Question 3

Alcohol

Accepted Answer

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer. Drinking alcohol doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely get cancer, but the risk is higher the more alcohol you drink. People might talk about some alcoholic drinks being better or worse for you than others but all types of alcohol increase the risk of cancer - as it’s the alcohol itself that causes damage, even in small amounts.Alcohol is known to cause 7 types of cancer. This includes: Breast cancer and bowel cancer (two of the most common types)Mouth cancerSome types of throat cancer: oesophagus (food pipe), larynx (voice box) and pharynx (upper throat)Liver cancer
Did you know? Drinking alcohol is worse for you if you also smoke. When used together they increase the risk of cancer even more. This is because tobacco and alcohol have a combined effect that causes greater damage to our cells. People who smoke and drink alcohol are at a higher risk of mouth and upper throat cancers. Alcohol may cause changes to cells in the mouth and throat that make it easier to absorb the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke.Alcohol may change how the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke are broken down in the body, making them even more harmful.  The more you can cut down on alcohol the more you can reduce your risk of cancer. Drinking less alcohol has lots of other health benefits too. You can reduce your risk of accidents, high blood pressure and liver disease by cutting back. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level (if you drink) you are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis and to spread your drinking over 3 or more days.

Question 4

Physical Activity

Accepted Answer

Exercise and physical activity helps us to maintain a healthy weight.Keeping a healthy weight cuts your risk of cancer and other serious diseases. Being physically active means any movement that uses your muscles and more energy than when you’re resting.Physical activity can include: moderate intensity – this is when the activity makes you feel warmer and breathe faster, but you can still talk. This could include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, gardening or houseworkvigorous intensity – this is an activity that raises your heart rate and makes you start to sweat and feel out of breath. This could include running, aerobics, football and cycling
Being physically active doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or an exercise class. It can also be walking to the shops, walking up the stairs, gardening or dancing. Overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK. If you are overweight, you are more likely to get cancer than if you are a healthy weight. Being overweight doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely develop cancer. But the risk is higher the more overweight you are and the longer you are overweight for. If you are overweight, avoiding putting on more weight and losing weight will help reduce your risk of cancer.Did you know? Overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK – causing more than 1 in 20 cancer cases.Keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer.
 There are lots of benefits to keeping a healthy weight. These include having increased energy, and less risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke and joint pain.

Question 5

Sun Safety

Accepted Answer

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy that is released naturally by the sun and artificially from sunbeds. Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage DNA in your skin cells. Too much exposure to UV radiation is the main cause of skin cancer in the UK. Getting sunburnt increases your risk of skin cancer. Up to 9 in 10 UK cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds.Remember that: No matter where you are, whether at home or on holiday, it’s important to protect your skin when the sun is strong.The best way to enjoy the sun safely is to use shade, clothing and sunscreen together to protect your skin.Using sunscreen doesn’t mean you can spend longer in the sun. But it’s useful for protecting the parts of skin not covered by clothing or shade.

Question 6

The HPV Vaccine

Accepted Answer

The HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, anal cancer, and some head and neck cancers. HPV causes 9,684 cancers annually in the UK, with head and neck cancers (oropharyngeal cancer) now exceeding cervical cancer.​The HPV vaccine is one of the few vaccines that can actually prevent cancer. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2058, the HPV vaccine could prevent more than 100,000 cases of cancer in the UK alone.​The vaccine is routinely offered to all boys and girls aged 12 to 13 in Year 8 at secondary school. This typically happens during the Spring Term. It is usually just the one dose.​If a child misses their vaccine, they can still catch up through their school nurse, GP practice or local vaccination team, up to the age of 25.​The HPV vaccine - FAQs​What is the HPV vaccine?There is 1 type of HPV vaccine given in the UK (the Gardasil 9 vaccine). It contains no genetic or live material. The vaccine contains aluminium salt to boost people’s immune response. The HPV vaccine used in the UK does not contain any porcine or other animal ingredients and is widely accepted as halal and kosher.​Is the HPV vaccine linked to sexual activity?The HPV vaccine is not linked to sexual activity — it’s about prevention. It is a preventive measure given before someone is likely to be exposed to HPV. That’s why it’s offered at ages 12–13, well before most people become sexually active and therefore before someone is likely to get exposed to HPV, offering much greater protection.​The vaccine does not encourage or require sexual activity, and getting vaccinated doesn’t change sexual behaviour. Its purpose is purely health protection against HPV-related cancers and genital warts.​What cancers does the HPV vaccine prevent?The HPV vaccine prevents head and neck cancers, cervical cancer, vaginal, anal and penile cancer.​When is the best time to have the HPV vaccine?Young people who receive the vaccine aged 12 -13 have a 90% protection rate because the vaccine works best before any contact with HPV. Early vaccination ensures strong, long-lasting protection.​Do boys need the HPV vaccine?Yes. HPV affects everyone, and vaccinating boys helps prevent cancers and reduces virus spread.How many doses are needed?If your child is under 25 years old, 1 dose is recommended.If they are HIV positive or immunosuppressed a 3 dose schedule, over 4-6 months is recommended.If previously vaccinated or vaccinated abroad, any dose of Cervarix, Gardasil or Gardasil 9 given from 9 years of age would be considered valid.
Are there any side effects?There can be mild side effects to the vaccine such as a sore arm at the injection site or mild fever or headache. Serious side effects are extremely rare.What if my child did not have the vaccine at school?If they are under 25 and have already received one dose by September 2023, they are considered fully vaccinated. Those who missed the vaccine at school can still catch up before their 25th birthday by contacting their GP practice and asking for the HPV vaccine. If I’ve had the HPV vaccine, do I still need to go for regular cervical screening?Yes, because whilst the HPV vaccine protects against most types of cervical cancers, it doesn’t protect against all strains. It is important that anyone invited for cervical screening attends their routine appointment even if vaccinated.