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.

Our work on prevention

We are working with system partners to deliver tobacco control measures that may significantly reduce the incidence of lung and other smoking related cancers.

The CURE programme is one such project, and we are working with the Respiratory Team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals to embed this pathway.

In essence, this allows us to view tobacco addiction as a disease, and to signpost smokers towards successful strategies to quit.

"Tobacco addiction is by definition, a disease. It is not a lifestyle choice. It is a chronic and relapsing disease that often begins in childhood"