International Childhood Cancer Day

Today, February 15^th is International Childhood Cancer Day.  The International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations (ICCCPO) are launching a health advocacy campaign to help educate the public in recognising the early warning signs for childhood cancer. 

Worldwide, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and it is estimated that more than half (90,000) will die from the disease.  Clearly, these high death figures give cause for concern considering the fact that seventy percent of all childhood cancers are curable when diagnosed and treated early.

Statistics reveal that cancer is the second leading cause of death among children in developed countries.  The most common type of cancer in Europe, Americas and East Asia is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.  

One of the issues surrounding late detection of the disease is because symptoms of cancer often get interpreted as common childhood ailments, as Dr Gabriele Calaminus, President of SIOP points out.

Kenneth Dollman, President of ICCCPO says “By dinner time tonight, someone’s son, daughter, sister or brother, an estimated 440 children, will have been diagnosed with cancer, while 250 children from around the world would have succumbed to it”  

Figures from Cancer Research UK shows that 1,550 children are diagnosed with Cancer each year, of which around 260 children, under the age of 15, die as a result.

It has been acknowledged that children in wealthier countries have an eighty percent cancer survival rate, however, this figure is reversed for those living in poor socio-economic settings.  It is estimated that around eighty percent of children with cancer die due to late detection and limited access to appropriate treatment.     

"Delayed diagnosis significantly diminishes survival rates.  While in resource-rich countries, 8 out of 10 children survive, only 2 to 3 out of 10 children will survive in low and middle-income countries" explained Dollman. 

Today SIOP and ICCCPO, with its members from around the world will be reaching out to communities, schools, hospitals and the public to disseminate critical information about childhood cancer. 

For further information about childhood cancer, awareness, symptoms and support please visit the Be Child Cancer Aware at http://www.bechildcanceraware.org/.   

Raising Awareness for Lung Cancer

This November in the UK is Lung Cancer Awareness Month aimed at raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease, to encourage people at risk to visit their GP’s and seek medical help.

The Facts

Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world with an estimated 1.61 million new cases diagnosed in 2008.  With the highest rates of lung cancer for men in Central and Eastern Europe, and for women in Northern America.

In the UK, lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed after breast cancer.  Around 41, 000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008, that is, 112 people every day.

The Survival Rates

As with most cancers, the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the chance of survival.  Currently however, more than two-thirds of lung cancers are diagnosed at a late stage and so survival rates for these patients remain lower.

Overall, the statistics show that less than 10 percent of lung cancer patients survive the disease for at least five years after diagnosis.

Death From Lung Cancer

Worldwide around 1.38 million people died from lung cancer in 2008 and in the European Union more than a quarter of a million people died in the same year.

In the UK, lung cancer has been identified as the most common cause of cancer death, resulting in more than 1 in 5 deaths.

The latest figures from 2008, highlight that around 35,260 people died from lung cancer, that is 95 people every day. 

Causes of Lung Cancer

It has long been established that tobacco and cancer are strongly linked.  Evidence has revealed that smoking causes 90 percent of lung cancer deaths.  The recent figures show that in Britain 1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes, that is 9.5 million people.

Living with someone who smokes, also increases the risk of lung cancer in non smokers by a quarter and it is estimated that exposure to passive smoke in the home causes around 11,000 deaths every year in the UK.

It has also been recognised that lung cancer can also be caused by heavy exposure to industrial carcinogens and numerous air pollutants, but this accounts for a small proportion of cases.

Despite the known facts and the strong correlation between lung cancer and tobacco, why is it that so many people continue to smoke?  Why do people ignore the health signs and fail to seek medical support? 

We can all help to reduce the risk of lung cancer and potentially save ourselves, a loved one or someone we know.  This month is dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer and ensuring that people are educated about the disease and know where to find and access help.

For further information on supporting the campaign and raising awareness on lung cancer please click here 

For information on symptoms and lung cancer please visit the NHS Choices website by clicking here  

For information on quitting smoking click here

Tanning Salons and the Risk of Cancer

As summer becomes a distant memory and winter begins to creep in, people in attempt to keep their “summer/healthy glow” conventionally resort to using sunbeds to top up their tans.  But are they taking into account the harm they are doing to their skin and health?

Currently, it is estimated that around three million Britons use sunbeds on a regular basis.  The statistics reveal that 12,000 Britons develop malignant melanoma a year and the disease claims more than 2,000 lives.  This figure has more than doubled over the past twenty years.  
  

Recent news articles from the Daily Mail  and the Daily Telegraph have highlighted that sunbeds are even more dangerous than originally thought.  It was reported that UVA rays, the main type of ultraviolet light emitted from tanning devices and previously regarded as relatively "safer" than UVB, has actually been found to cause the type of DNA damage that can lead to cancer.

The Research

Light from the sun contains two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays, UVA and UVB.  UVB has generally been considered as the major carcinogen in sunlight.  However, scientists now argue that the effects of UVA needs further consideration as there are more UVA than UVB rays in sunlight.

In a recent study carried out by researchers from King’s College London and published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, compared the DNA damage caused by UVA rays to that from UVB rays.

Previously, UVA has been perceived as safer, compared to UVB which has been linked to burning and cancer.  However, the research, which builds on further studies, suggests that UVA is not harmless, and like UVB, can lead to changes in the cell that increase the risk of developing skin cancer. 

A total of 12 volunteers with healthy and similar skin tone were recruited for the research.  A small area of the volunteers’ skin was exposed to UVA and UVB, which was then later examined to assess the degree of skin redness.  The researchers also took pinch biopsies, which extracted skin from the exposed area, to evaluate the chemical changes to the DNA.   

They found that both UVA and UVB could cause similar types of DNA damage, but that UVA was recognised as affecting cells deeper in the skin, while UVB affected cells at the surface of the skin more.

Prof Antony Young, one of the researchers from King's College London, said:

"In the past UVA has been written off as not very serious to the skin...What we are saying is that UVA does cause significant damage to DNA in the skin especially in the base layer, and that is where the damage is important”

The World Health Organisation says “sunbeds – which emit a small amount of UVB as well as the UVA – are as great a cancer risk as cigarettes”. 

The Outcome

UVB has been identified as causing changes to our DNA and where our body’s natural mechanisms cannot repair the damaged DNA, such as in skin cancers, these chemical changes can lead to harmful mutations in the DNA sequence.  The recent evidence suggests that UVA may cause mutations in a similar way to UVB and is therefore not “safer” as previously believed and can thus lead to skin cancer. 

Sunbeds have a particularly high UVA output and evidence claims that these rays can be ten to fifteen times higher than the midday sun.  As such, people using sunbeds should take into account that there is currently no regulation to govern the type or strength of UV rays that is emitted from them.  Consequently, it is essential that whenever we expose our skin to UVA or UVB light, we use the correct factor sunscreen to protect us from ultraviolet rays.

Cancer Research UK have highlighted some recommendations to ensure you keep your skin safe and protected.  Click here for further information and for more information on sunbeds and their safety please click here. 

Rises in Cancer Rates: 17,000 more middle-aged people are diagnosed with cancer every year, compared to a generation ago

Yesterday's news articles reported the subsequent rises in cancer rates over the past two decades.  The Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Sun, pointed out that cancer rates in the middle-aged have increased “by almost a fifth in a generation”.  The articles highlighted that the rise was mainly a result of better detection of cancer, but also the rise in obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) – The Findings

Figures from Cancer Research UK compared the rates of cancer in Great Britain in 1979 and 2008.  The statistics found that new cancer diagnoses increased by 16 percent in men and 34 percent in women in Great Britain between the 1977-1979 and 2006-2008 reporting periods.  This equated to a rise from 368.3 to 416.7 cases per 100,000 men and from 273.9 to 365.7 cases per 100,000 women.

The increases in cancer rates between 1979 and 2008 varied across age groups, however, the main focus was the rates of cancer in middle-aged individuals (40-59 years old) which saw new diagnoses rise from 329.1 per 100,000 in 1979 to 388.1 per 100,000 in 2008.  It was reported that in 1979 44,000 people in this age group were diagnosed with cancer in Britain and this figure rose to 61,000 in 2008.

The statistics revealed that among 40-59 year olds, prostate cancer rates have risen six fold in 30 years and breast cancer rates have increased by 50 percent.  In comparison, cases of lung cancer in men of this age have dropped from 6,300 to around 2,700 in the same period.  For a break down of all the cancer figures, please visit the Cancer Research UK website by clicking here.

Despite the upward trend, CRUK say that the number of people surviving cancer has almost doubled since the 1970s.  In 1979 in Great Britain there were 215.2 deaths from cancer per 100,000 people, which decreased to 174.4 deaths from cancer per 100,000 people in 2008. 

Why the Increase?  

Although the exact causes for the increases were not directly investigated, CRUK claim that the rises could be contributed to higher detection due to the NHS breast cancer screening programme and the PSA test for prostate cancer.  However, it has also been suggested that these rises are due to modern changes in lifestyle, with people eating more unhealthily and living a sedentary lifestyle, compared to people in the past decades.

Evidence demonstrates that certain lifestyle factors do influence risk of cancer and that smoking, obesity, poor diet, alcohol consumption can be hazardous for our health and may increase the possibility of cancer. 

Therefore, by taking responsibility for our health, by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, not smoking and reducing our alcohol consumption we can help to limit the risk of cancer.  For further information on cancer prevention, please visit the NHS Choices website by clicking here.

Make Friday Fruity

Fruity Friday, is a fundraising campaign launched by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) to increase public awareness of the links between diet, nutrition and cancer prevention.  The annual event also aims to raise valuable funds for cancer research and education programmes of cancer prevention. 

Fruity Friday coincides with WCRF UK’s annual Cancer Prevention Week which is being held between 9^th and 15^th of May 2011.  The purpose of Cancer Prevention Week is to promote the message that cancer is a largely preventable disease.  It has been shown that around a third of the most common cancers could be prevented if people adopted healthy lifestyle choices, including eating healthily, being more physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. 

The Cancer Stats – Worldwide and UK

Data reports from Cancer Research UK shows that globally, an estimated 12.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2008.

An estimated 4.2 million men died from cancer worldwide in 2008. Lung cancer is by far the biggest killer, accounting for almost one in four (23%) cancer deaths in men.

Liver and stomach cancers are also big cancer killers in men worldwide (11% each).

Similarly around 3.3 million women died from cancer worldwide in 2008. Breast and lung cancers are the most common killers, accounting for 14% and 13% of deaths, respectively.

Evidence from the Latest UK Cancer Incidence Year and Mortality Year Summary shows that in the UK, 309,527 cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2008.  Of these cancer cases 155,326 were men and 154,201 were women.  In 2008 there were 156,594 cancer deaths, of which 81,403 were men and 74,829 were women.  The UK incidence rate is slightly higher than the average in the more developed regions of the world, and more than 75% higher than the average in the less developed regions.

Recommendations

Overall, scientists have estimated that about third (39%) of the 12 most common types of cancer cases in the UK could be prevented if people made healthier lifestyle choices. 

The evidence comes from WCRF The Expert Report which was published in 2007, having taken six years to produce, it is renowned as the most comprehensive report ever produced on the link between lifestyle and cancer risk.  The research outlined in the report was the basis used to develop the 10 recommendations for cancer prevention that people can incorporate into their daily lives.

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses is one way to help prevent cancer.  Scientific research shows that these types of food may protect against cancer because they contain vitamins and minerals which help keep the body healthy and strengthen our immune system.  They are also good sources of substances like phytochemicals which are biologically active compounds that can help to protect cells in the body from damage that can lead to cancer. 

Further recommendations also include being physically active for at least thirty minutes a day, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking.  For a full list of the recommendations to help prevent cancer please click here. 

RSPH and Health Promotion – What You Can Do?

At RSPH Training Solutions we take health seriously and we believe that through education and training, people can learn to make better lifestyle choices and positively influence people around them.  We are currently running a 5 day Level 2 Award in Health Promotion programme, which has specifically been developed to meet the increasing needs of a wide range of individuals to acquire fundamental knowledge and skills in health promotion.  The Award provides candidates with an opportunity to work and train within a multi-disciplinary group, exploring and examining basic theory in relation to the concepts, influences and determinants of health.  For further information please contact Nicolette Boustaoui or by phone on: 0203 177 1625. 

Women Smoking their way to Lung Cancer

This week is particularly important for public health for two reasons;  firstly, today is International Women's Day and secondly, tomorrow, Wednesday 9th March, is National No Smoking Day.  Consequently, many charities are using this opportunity to flag up important health issues, so as to raise awareness and discuss ways of overcoming them. 

Yesterday, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) revealed their latest figures showing that rates of lung cancer have more than doubled for women over the age of 60 since the 1970's.   The statistics show a notable rise from 88 per 100,000 in 1975 to 190 per 100,000 in 2008.  For women over the age of 80 the picture is even more alarming, with lung cancer rates tripling from 84 per 100,000 in 1975 to 273 cases diagnosed for every 100,000 women in 2008. 
 
Although lung cancer for men is still considerably high, the data demonstrates that there has been a slight decrease in recent years and CRUK believe this is a result of changes in smoking patterns.  While the proportion of male smokers peaked before 1960, women smokers on the other hand, increased during the 1960's and 1970's, which would now effect those over the age of 60.  Overall, the number of women diagnosed with lung cancer has risen from 7,800 cases in 1975 to more than 17,500 in 2008.  Whereas in 1975 the rates for men over 60 fell from 23,400 to 19,400 in 2008. 

Lung Cancer: The Facts

• Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the UK after breast cancer.
• Around 41, 000 were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 - equivalent to 112 people every day.
• In the 1950s, for every lung cancer case diagnosed in women in the UK, there were 6 in men.  That ratio is now 3 cases in women for every 4 in men.
• More than 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer occur in people over 60 years of age.
• Rates of lung cancer in Scotland are among the highest in the world, reflecting their history of high smoking prevalence.
• Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world with an estimated 1.61 million new cases diagnosed in 2008.
• In the UK it is the most common cause of cancer death - accounting for more than 1 in 5 deaths.
• Around 35,000 people died from lung cancer in the UK in 2008 - which is 95 people every day.

What Causes Lung Cancer

• The link between tobacco and cancer was established more than 50 years.
• Smoking causes almost 90% of lung cancer deaths.
• It is estimated that exposure to passive smoke in the home causes around 11,000 deaths every year.
• A small proportion of lung cancer cases are caused by heavy exposure to industrial carcinogens and air pollutants, including diesel exhaust, asbestos and non-ferrous metals.

For further information visit the CRUK official website by clicking here.

Nonetheless, CRUK do point out that successful anti-smoking measures - such as the tobacco advertising ban and the legislation making public places smoke free - have meant the number of smokers has continued to drop.
Jean King, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco control, said: “These figures highlight how important tobacco control measures are in helping people to stop smoking. With the lung cancer rate rising among women we would like the government to introduce a comprehensive and well funded tobacco control strategy that targets at risk groups and stops young people from beginning an addiction that kills half of all long term smokers”
“Around nine in ten cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking and one in five people still smoke, so it’s vital that work continues to support smokers to quit and protect young people from being recruited into an addiction that kills half of all long term smokers. In particular we want displays in shops covered up so that young people are no longer being exposed to this form of tobacco marketing.”

What Can You Do?
Get Involved and Help Raise Awareness for Women's Health!
In aid of International Women’s Day this year, the Royal Society for Public Health is running a "Women's Health and Well Being" programme on 12th May.  The event will seek to raise awareness of interrelationship between lifestyle and health, while educating participants about the steps they can take to empower women to improve their physical and mental health.  For further information or to download our flyer please click here or please contact Nicolette Smith 020 3177 1625. 

British Women - Unhealthy Lifestyles Have Led to Higher Rates of Cancer!

Data from the World Health Organisation, found that Britain has higher rates of potential fatal disease than the USA, Australia, Germany and Spain.  The statistics reveal that British women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer because of their unhealthy lifestyles.  Cause for concern for?   

A project called GLOBOCAN, set up by the WHO, collects figures on the incidence of and deaths from the most common types of cancer for countries across the world.  The data which was used and analysed for a recent study by the World Cancer Research Fund, found that Britain is the 12th worst of the 50 countries in terms of rates of all cancers among women, and is rated 11th worst for breast cancer.  The figures show that although Belgium is the worse with 109.2 cases per 100,000 women in 2008 with breast cancer, Britain is not far behind with 89.1 cases per 100,000.  There are around 46,000 breast cancer cases per year in the UK, of which a quarter die.

Although high levels of breast cancer rates may be attributed to better detection methods such as new technological advancements and increased awareness, experts claim that lifestyle choices also plays a significant factor.
Meg McArthur, Senior Policy and Information Officer for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says that “Breast cancer is thought to be due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors and although some risk factors cannot be changed, women can reduce their risk by drinking less, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.”

Currently international studies demonstrates that Britons now eat and drink more than their counterparts in many other countries.  Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics shows that 56 percent of women over the age of 16 drinks more than double the recommended daily allowance of alcohol every week, while 24 per cent of women in England are classified obese.

Therefore, experts claim that the high number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK could be avoided if women adopted healthier lifestyles, including drinking less alcohol, eating better and doing more exercise.
Sarah Woolnough, director of policy for Cancer Research UK said "We do know that up to half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle such as giving up smoking, keeping a healthy weight and cutting down on alcohol"

The National Cancer Director, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said "We want to vastly improve cancer outcomes - that’s why we will shortly be launching the first ever Government awareness campaign for cancer, to promote earlier diagnosis and to save more lives.”

Raise awareness for women's health! 
In aid of International Women’s Day this year, the Royal Society for Public Health will be running a programme on the 8^th March on "Women’s Health and Well-being".  The event will raise awareness of interrelationship between lifestyle and health, while educating participants about the steps they can take to empower women to improve their physical and mental health.  For further information or to attend the programme please contact Nicolette Smith or by phone 020 3177 1625.