NHS wessex cancer alliance logo
Wessex Cancer Alliance helix logo

Cancer Prevention

Physical Activity

Physical inactivity is a major contributor to cancer risk in the UK. It is associated with several common cancers including breast, bowel, and endometrial cancer. Many adults do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity, increasing their risk of cancer alongside other long term conditions.

Primary care plays a key role in identifying low activity levels and supporting patients to make realistic, manageable changes that can reduce cancer risk. Physical activity has been shown to improve cancer outcomes for patients, including enhancing quality of life, reducing treatment-related side effects, and supporting recovery and long-term survival.

Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 – NHS

Watch the video below to find out more about what you can do in primary care to support patients to be more physically active.

This video is part of this year’s Prevention & Early Diagnosis Local Improvement Scheme. To support your PCN to achieve one of its requirements please watch the video and complete this short survey

National Clinician-Facing

National Patient-Facing

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most popular drug in the UK, and the leading cause of illness and mortality for those of working age. About 4,800 cancer deaths could be attributed to alcohol each year. Around 24% of people in the UK drink at increased risk levels and it is deeply embedded into the UK’s history and culture. This can mean that risk and harm are tolerated and overlooked.

Watch the video below to hear from Dr Richard Roope (Wessex Cancer Alliance Primary Care Lead) to find out more about what you can do in primary care to support your patients drinking at increased risk levels.

IBA is a practice used to help identify an individual’s alcohol consumption risk level and then provide brief advice to those in the medium to high-risk categories.

Once the risk level is identified using a screening tool, a practitioner can understand when to engage in brief advice or refer someone to a specialist service.

You can assess a person’s risk by completing a short screening tool called AUDIT-C. If the patient has a score of 5 or more and time permits, you can complete the remaining alcohol harm questions to obtain a full AUDIT score.

Click here for the AUDIT-C and FULL AUDIT Tools

ASK: Be aware of opportunities for change and raise the issue.

EXPLORE: Use open discovery questions and a non-judgemental attitude. Try to avoid telling people what to do. Use AUDIT C to support identification of risk alongside supporting information to help structure your conversation.

ACT: On the persons response, discuss helpful tips for cutting down OR refer/signpost to local services.

This handy crib sheet has been developed by Hampshire County Council to help support you in having these conversations.

HPV Vaccination

The HPV vaccination helps to prevent cancer by protecting against HPV, the virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer and some other cancers.

For more information, resources and useful links visit our HPV Vaccination page

Smoking

Smoking is the single most avoidable risk factor for cancer.

Further information

Training and education

  • 30 seconds to save a life – Very Brief Advice (VBA) training for smoking cessation. VBA is an evidenced based form of simple advice designed to be used opportunistically in less than 30 seconds.
  • Behaviour change and cancer prevention  – 30-minute RCGP module for healthcare professionals who would like to promote behaviour change around smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption.
  • VBA for smoking cessation podcast – This short (15 minutes) and downloadable podcast for healthcare professionals highlights the importance of smoking cessation for patients and how to use ‘Very Brief Advice’ (VBA) in a consultation.
smoke free poster

Obesity

Keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer and yet many people are not aware of the link.

Further information

Training and education

Our Dorset Video Library - Move More
NHS Better Health

Information for patients

poster infographic

Useful resources

The following Cancer Research UK resources can be displayed in GP surgeries.

Staff Health and Wellbeing

Your health and wellbeing is important too – here are some additional resources you might find useful:

  • NHS England – Supporting our NHS people – Details of the support available from the National Health and Wellbeing Programme including the Digital Weight Management Programme
  • NHS Professionals Health and Wellbeing Hub – Resources, ideas, and guidance to help you manage your mental and physical health and wellbeing including information on how to access your free Whealthy Plan
  • Here For Each Other by Our Dorset – Information and guidance on health and wellbeing including tips to eat well and free fitness videos and apps, as well as access to bespoke 1:1 support, for NHS and care sector workers in Dorset
  • LiveWell Dorset – Information and guidance on weight management, becoming more physically active, stopping smoking and drinking less, and access to free health coaching, for residents in Dorset.
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight – People Portal – Information and guidance on healthy lifestyles and access to confidential health and wellbeing support for people working in the NHS and Primary Care services across Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Physical Activity

Initiatives that practices can sign up to encourage staff to increase their physical activity:

prevention button

Accessibility Toolbar

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it.