cancer prevention

There is evidence to suggest a large majority of cancers are caused by factors in our lifestyle or environment, and therefore potentially preventable. Because of this, prevention has been identified as the focus of the Cancer Society’s health promotion activities. Although there are many agencies in New Zealand involved in disease prevention, the Cancer Society is the only organisation dedicated to the prevention of cancer.

The most significant and modifiable risk factors for cancer in New Zealand include tobacco smoking, inadequate intakes of fruit and vegetables, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Minister of Health 2003). Efforts to reduce the incidence of these lifestyle-related cancers require a comprehensive health promotion approach.

Health promotion is the process of enabling individuals and communities to increase control over, and to improve, their health. The Cancer Society has chosen priority areas for health promotion programmes based on evidence for health gain. The first three priority programme areas are tobacco control, skin cancer prevention and nutrition and physical activity. The fourth priority programme area, health promotion information has been added to reflect the Cancer Society’s goal to be an authoritative source of information on cancer.

Prevention programmes

There are three main prevention programmes offered by the Cancer Society in Taranaki:

Skin cancer prevention and UV protection programme. This focuses on education on how to keep safe from the harmful UV rays during the summer months. This is a very important programme in Taranaki as we have one of the highest UV levels in the NZ and indeed the world. Our levels melanoma and skin cancers are also one of the highest in NZ. There is a Sunsmart programme specifically for schools and we can assist schools to achieve Sunsmart accrediation. We also work with Local Authorities, workplaces, sports clubs and with people planning community events, to develop good UV protection policies and practices. We have resources available for loan such as umbrellas & gazebos, and can sponsor sunscreen for events that wish to be Sunsmart. To book resources or seek assistance with planning a Sunsmart event please contact us. More information on Sunsmart

Livesmart is a web based physical actvity and nutrition programme designed to assist people to make healthy lifestyle choices. It focusses on eating the right things (EatSmart), buying the right things (ShopSmart), and doing the right amount of exercise (MoveSmart). It also has a great tips on growing your own veges (GrowSmart). You can sign up to the programme as an individual or as a workplace and recieve weekly coaching emails giving you plenty of tips and practical advice about how to LiveSmart and stack the odds in your favour. To sign up now click on link below. For more information visit www.livesmart.org.nz

It is estimated that tobacco causes one in four cancer deaths in New Zealand, both through smoking and being exposed to second hand smoke. This being the case, assisting people to become smokefree and remain smokefree is an important objective of the Cancer Society. While we are not quit providers, we can provide educational resources about the harmful effects of smoking for schools, work places, families and individuals. We also take an advocacy role in supporting the development of smokefree environments for children and the community.

Prevention and Health Promotion

Prevention programmes