Primary care cancer toolkit
Cancer Prevention
The UK is facing a 20% increase in cancer incidence by 2030, largely because of a growing ageing population. But more than 4 in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented largely through changes to lifestyle, so addressing preventable risk factors is crucial.
Brief interventions which can be managed within a GP consult, such as those recommended by NICE for smoking cessation, have been shown to be effective in encouraging lifestyle change.
More information on the causes of cancer
Professional
Reducing Risk - Healthy Lifestyle and Wellbeing
NICE
NHS
- NHS Health Scotland - Provides information, education and support for health professionals interested in the ‘Keep Well’ programme in Scotland
Guidelines for Changing Behaviour
NICE
RCGP
Risk Factor Specific Guidance
Smoking
Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of cancer. There are some excellent targeted resources for becoming smoke free.
NHS
- NHS Smokefree Website – Has all support needed to stop smoking, available for free in multiple formats
- Guide to smoking cessation in Scotland (NHS Scotland)
- Northern Ireland Public Health – Stopping Smoking
- Stop Smoking Wales – Specialist health service for smokers in Wales
- NHS Inform: Quit your way Scotland – Resources for Scotland (can also be reached on 0800 84 84 84)
Cancer Research UK
- CRUK: Smoking and cancer Information – Includes information on tobacco, quitting smoking, and info on e-cigarettes.
- Cancer Insight: e-cigarettes – free resource for GPs
- What is the most successful way to quit smoking - Infographic
Other
- CRUK: Early Diagnosis bitesize videos
- RCGP: Position Statement on the Use of Non-Combustible Inhaled Tobacco Products (e-cigarettes)
- A survey by Cancer Research UK in 2017 found that 20% of general practitioners never discuss e-cigarettes with their patients and a further 25% discussed them occasionally. Further to this, many GPs are unsure of what they should be saying in relation to e-cigarettes. This film based on the RCGP position statement on e-cigarettes features the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) prevention lead, Professor Linda Bauld, and Dr Richard Roope, RCGP and CRUK Cancer Clinical Champion. It addresses key concerns which GPs have voiced about e-cigarettes. They also share the evidence behind the RCGP position statement. Please watch, and if you have time, please complete this short feedback survey.
- NCSCT Training Video – For giving brief advice on smoking
- NCSCT Resources - useful resources and guidance for smoking cessation
- An independent introduction to vaping for smokers - a film featuring expert advice from Professor Hayden McRobbie
- Top tips for safer vaping
- Smoking and Mental Health - A collaborative and innovative project aiming to support those with mental health conditions to quit smoking
- Statement on Electronic cigarettes - Mental Health and Smoking Partnership
- Shared Key Messages - Mental Health and Smoking Partnership
- Top tips for recognizing and supporting women with ovarian cancer
Weight
Overweight and obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer.
NICE
NHS
- Guidance for reducing weight – (NHS: One You website)
Cancer Research UK
- CRUK: Bodyweight and Cancer
- CRUK: Cancer Insight (Obesity and Cancer)
- Can Primary Care have an impact on obesity?
- Cancer Insight for GPs – Obesity March 2018
Alcohol
Every year alcohol causes 4% of cancers in the UK, around 12,800 cases.
NICE
- NHS Choices: Drinking and Alcohol - Website aiming to improve drinking habits, includes up to date UK Government advice on alcohol units
- NHS Health Scotland: Alcohol Programme – To support implementation and delivery of the Scottish Government’s strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse
- Guidance on Alcohol – (NHS: One You website)
Cancer Research UK
- CRUK: Information on the Link between Alcohol and Cancer
- CRUK: Press Release - 135,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths predicted by 2035
- CRUK: Blog – 10 things you might not know about alcohol and cancer
- CRUK: Blog - Alcohol and breast cancer – how big is the risk?
Diet
A healthy, balanced diet is one that is high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and pulses and low in processed or red meat. Not only does it help weight management, it can also reduce the risk of cancer directly.
NHS
- NHS Live Well: The Eatwell Guide – Achieving a healthy balanced diet
- Guidance on healthy eating – (NHS: One You website)
- NHS Choices: Healthy Eating
Cancer Research UK
Physical Activity
It is thought that keeping active could help prevent around 3,400 cases of cancer every year in the UK.
NHS
- NHS: Couch to 5K – A running plan for beginners
- NHS Scotland: Promotion of Physical Activity in Scotland – Provides broad framework for objectives and priorities and practitioner guide
- NHS Choices: Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults
- NHS Choices: Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
- NHS Choices: Benefits of Exercise
Cancer Research UK
HPV Infection
Up to 8 out of 10 people will be infected with the virus at some point in their lives. There are hundreds of different types of HPV and most are harmless. But around 12 types of HPV can cause cancer.
NHS
Cancer Research UK
Other
Sun Safety
In the UK more than 8 in 10 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, could be prevented through enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn.
Cancer Research UK
Patient
Healthy Living Resources for Patients
NHS
- NHS Choices: Live Well Hub – Advice and suggestions aimed at the public about lifestyle changes, many of them related to cancer prevention
Other
- Change4Life – Information on increasing physical activity and healthy eating
Cancer Research UK
- CRUK: Ten Top Tips for Keeping a Healthy Weight
- CRUK: Healthy Lifestyle Leaflets– Available free of charge in physical copy or PDF format