About half of potential cancer sufferers could avoid the disease merely by switching to a healthy lifestyle, Health Minister Joseph Cassar said during an outreach event at City Gate, Valletta, yesterday.
The initiative is one of a series of public events held by the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department to spread knowledge on cancer prevention.
February 4 marked World Cancer Prevention Day and on Tuesday the government launched a €10 million plan that incorporates 90 initiatives to be implemented over the next five years.
Malta had the 42nd highest rate of cancer incidence worldwide, Dr Cassar said, and one in every three people was diagnosed with the disease.
The outreach programme is meant to make people get the message about healthy living through direct contact.
In this vein, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department director Charmaine Gauci emphasised the dangers of smoking and unhealthy eating, adding that recent World Health Organisation research showed 150 minutes of exercise a week prevented cancer. Asked about obesity awareness, Dr Gauci said the national obesity action plan would be launched in May. Although food and resources subsidies were being considered, the outreach would focus on raising awareness.
The Health Ministry would hold a series of public meetings to put people on track in advance of the plan launch.
The project will focus on equipping people with the right information to cut the costs and hardships of cure.
The next outreach event is themed Love Your Heart and will be held in City Gate on Monday.
Eight steps to minimise risk
Quit smoking: For help on quitting call on 8007 3333 or join a smoking cessation clinic by calling on 2326 6000.
Keep a healthy weight: Maintain a body mass index of between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2. Join a weight management course by calling on 2326 6000.
Include physical activity in your daily life: Join an aerobics class by calling on 2326 6000.
Reduce intake of animal fat and eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily: Consume two pieces of fruit and 200 grams of vegetables.
Moderate alcohol consumption: Alcohol presents various cancer risks and should be consumed cautiously, if at all.
Avoid excessive sun exposure: Avoid exposure between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wear light coloured cotton clothing; apply high protection sun screen; avoid ultraviolet radiation and wear a hat and sunglasses.
Follow health and safety instructions on substancesthat may cause cancer: Pay attention to the presence of carcinogenic pollutants.
Self-examine for breast cancer on a monthly basis from the age of 18: Women over 30 years old should seek clinical examination annually.