HSE invites public to free webinar on ‘Steps to Reduce Our Cancer Risk’

This Thursday, February 2, the HSE, together with Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN), is hosting a free public webinar called ‘Steps to Reduce Our Cancer Risk’. The event marks World Cancer Day, which will take place on Saturday, February 4. World Cancer Day (WCD) is an international awareness day held each year which aims to raise public awareness of cancer and empower individuals, populations and governments to take action to prevent and tackle cancer.

1 in 2 people living in Ireland will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The World Health Organisation estimates that 30-50% of all cancers are preventable through changes to lifestyle and environmental factors. Each individual person’s risk of getting cancer is influenced by a wide range of factors. These include things that we can’t change (like our age and genetics) and things that we can change (like what we eat, whether we drink alcohol or smoke, take regular exercise, and protect our skin from the sun). We can all take steps to reduce our risk of cancer by making positive changes in these areas.

Dr Triona McCarthy, Director of Public Health in the NCCP HSE says, “Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. A continued focus on reducing cancer risk is essential, given the serious impact of cancer on the lives of thousands of people in Ireland each year.

“The Irish Cancer Prevention Network aims to reduce cancer risk by raising awareness of steps we can all take to reduce our risk of cancer and ensure that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.”

For World Cancer Day 2023, the Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN) - comprised of Breakthrough Cancer Research, HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Irish Cancer Society, Irish Skin Foundation, Marie Keating Foundation, and the National Screening Service – will run a free informative webinar about the action we can take to reduce our cancer risk.

 A panel of experts will aim to cover practical steps to reduce our cancer risk. The webinar will cover the following important topics:
• Smoking and passive smoking
• Vaccinations
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Speaking at this year’s webinar are:
Dr Paul Kavanagh, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE
Dr Treasa Kelleher, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, National Immunisation Office, HSE
Professor Martin O’Sullivan, Consultant Breast Surgeon, Cork University Hospital

To register for the Irish Cancer Prevention Network’s ‘Steps to Reduce Our Cancer Risk’ Webinar, click here