Andy’s Story: Quitting Smoking – my ‘sliding doors’ moment
We are nearing the end of Stoptober, which means thousands of people across the country will have managed to stop smoking over the last few weeks. If they have, they are now three weeks without smoking and have made it through the hardest part. This has given me a moment to reflect on my own… Read More >
An extended smoking ban: could it herald a new dawn in cancer prevention?
The announcement that the new government is considering extending the smoking ban is welcome news, but could it signal a much stronger focus on tackling preventable cancers – one that would have the support across the country and Parliament? It appears the government is considering a major extension to the indoor smoking ban, first introduced… Read More >
The Importance of being SunSmart
There has been a lot of coverage in the press about skin cancer just recently. Bearing in mind, it is August and the long awaited (and no doubt) fleeting British summer has arrived, accessing the great outdoors and enjoying the sun may well be on many people’s minds. However, all is not well in the great British… Read More >
Ultra-processed foods: why the fuss and what’s the answer?
UPFs: what are we talking about? The term ‘ultra-processed foods’ (UPFs) arises from the NOVA food classification system. This distinguishes between unprocessed foods (i.e. wholefoods); processed culinary ingredients (e.g. salt, butter); processed foods (e.g. fresh bread, tinned vegetables, cheese, cured meats); and ultra-processed foods. Commonly consumed UPFs include mass-produced bread, microwave meals, sandwich ham, and… Read More >
A Cancer Prevention Manifesto for 2024
About CancerWatch CancerWatch is a charity made up of people whose lives have been affected by cancer, and who are passionate about eliminating preventable cancers in the future. We campaign for more effective action to prevent cancer. We believe that currently too little is being done to tackle preventable cancers at their source. Cancer prevention:… Read More >
Obesity and Planning Permission
The obesogenic nature of our inner cities has long been a cause of concern for activists campaigning against poor health, and the key instrument for control of inner city environments is planning permission. In the post war years such permission has become fiercely complex and very much the realm of lawyers, yet normal inhabitants of… Read More >
The Problem with Children’s Obesity
During the lockdown, my front door has been the recipient of countless leaflets promoting take-away food of a distinctly dubious nutritional quality. This caused me to write to my local council complaining about high fat, fast food take-aways and the effect they had on obesity. I received a fulsome letter back from the local councillor… Read More >
Briefing Note – Bowel Cancer
Briefing Note on Bowel Cancer in the UK Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancer types. Sometimes it is referred to as colorectal cancer, which is another name for the disease. Bowel cancer in general has been rising in the past few decades and there are many theories for this rise. Please read below… Read More >
Why is Smoking Becoming a Working Class Tragedy?
The Background About 8m (2016) people, some 15% of the population still smoke. This contrasts with the situation after the Second World War when over 80% of the population smoked. During the 1970s and 80s in particular there were considerable declines in smoking as the medical science behind the dangers of smoking became better known in… Read More >