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CANCER IN SCOTLAND: ACTION FOR CHANGE
02. PREVENTING CANCER
Smoking
"Smoking is by far the largest preventable cause of cancer. At present among Scots aged between 16 and 74, 34% of men and 32% of women are regular smokers. Seven out of ten smokers would like to quit."
Advice and information on best practice in the provision of smoking cessation was issued in August 2001. Smoking cessation guides for patients and health professionals were published in November 2001 and complement the Action for Smoking and Health/ Health Education Board for Scotland (ASH/HEBS) Smoking Cessation Guidelines.
Partnership Action on Tobacco and Health (PATH) was launched in June 2002 with funding of 1.5 million over 3 years. The primary role of PATH is to develop national training standards and materials for tobacco control work; identify best practice in prevention and smoking cessation; and oversee a fund to support local practitioners to develop pilots aimed at priority groups identified in the
Smoking Kills White Paper.
An audit of local authority smoking policies was published at the end of 2001. Plans are underway for this to be followed up in 2002 by the production of good practice guidance for Councils and a repeat of the audit in 2003.
1 million is available annually for smoking cessation services and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) targeted particularly at areas of deprivation. NRT was made available on prescription in April 2001.
Diet
"We know that the Scottish diet is far from healthy and that dietary factors may be responsible for up to 30% of cancers."
A Scottish Food and Health Co-ordinator was appointed in July 2001 to support the implementation of the Diet Action Plan for Scotland,
Eating for Health.
An expert panel was established in November 2001 to devise nutritional standards and improve appeal and uptake of school meals. The Panel published national standards for consultation in July 2002.
A media campaign to promote healthier eating is being developed and is expected to be launched early in 2003.
Work is underway to develop and deliver a national training scheme in basic nutrition, food and health to support the food industry, catering, community and voluntary sectors.
Breakfast Club Challenge Fund is an initiative involving a review of breakfast club provision in Scotland. Once the review is complete in the autumn of 2002 a breakfast club challenge will be used to sustain services or to ensure that services are targeted at children who need them most.
The provision of fruit in pre-school settings and of breakfast clubs and fruit/salad bars in school settings is a key feature of work being taken forward by NHS Boards and local authorities, facilitated by allocations from the Health Improvement Fund. Further information is available in the report,
Putting the Pieces in Place.
Exercise
"Exercise can protect against a range of diseases including cancers (for example, colorectal and breast), as well as promoting good mental health."
The National Physical Activity Task Force published a draft strategy for physical activity highlighting the alarming rates of current inactivity. The report highlights the need for a greater recognition of the importance of physical activity within health improvement programmes and the need for a more co-ordinated national approach. Following consultation a final report is expected at the end of 2002.
A National Physical Activity Co-ordinator appointed in June 2002 is responsible for undertaking more detailed work to develop action plans for the Scottish Executive and its agencies.
Alcohol Consumption
"Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with several types of cancer, for example cancers of the head and neck."
The Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems was published in January 2002. Drawn up in partnership with health groups, the police, the drinks industry and many others, the plan seeks to kick-start the cultural shift needed if people living in Scotland are to turn away from their current unhealthy drinking practices.
A 1.5 million campaign, featuring television, radio and billboards, was launched in April 2002 with the major focus on tackling binge drinking among the 18 to 35-year-old age group.
Chemo-prevention of Cancer
"The possibility that some medicines may help prevent the development of specific cancers is currently the subject of active research. We need to maintain a watching brief on the outcomes of research in this area, which may impact on cancer services."
The first annual seminar is to be held in October 2002 involving Scottish and international experts from the USA and Europe, presenting to a targeted audience.
Contents, recommendations and outcomes from the seminar will be reported to the Scottish Cancer Group (and through them to Ministers and the Scottish Executive Health Department) detailing any action deemed necessary in the light of the evidence presented.
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