DON'T SMOKE
Not smoking is the best way of living longer and healthier.

DRINK LESS ALCOHOL
Excess alcohol is linked with higher rates of cancer and accidents.  Try to drink sensibly - less than 28 units a week if you are a man and less than 21 units a week if you are a woman (1 unit = 1/2 pint of beer or 1 glass of wine or 1 measure of spirits).

EAT HEALTHILY
Try to reduce the amount of fats in your diet, especially the saturated fats found in meat, dairy produce, cakes, biscuits and chocolate.  Try to eat less sugar and salt.  Try to eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and olive oil.

EXERCISE REGULARLY
Exercise helps you to relax and should be enjoyable.  Your physical and mental wellbeing will improve.

AVOID BEING OVERWEIGHT
And try to reduce it if you are overweight already.

LEARN TO RELAX
We all live with stress.  Learn how to reduce it to tolerable levels and cope with it.

TAKE CARE IN THE SUN
Protect your skin by tanning slowly and sensibly.  Skin cancer is becoming more common.  Come and see us if you are worried about any skin changes.

TAKE CARE AT HOME AND AT WORK
Follow safety guidelines, drive safely and never drink and drive.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR
If there is any unexplained change in your normal health which lasts longer than 2 weeks.

WOMEN
Have a regular cervical smear test (every 3 years aged 25 - 50, every 5 years aged 51 - 65) and examine your breasts regularly for any changes.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL ADULTS AGED 25 TO 74 ARE SEEN EVERY 3 YEARS FOR WELL-WOMAN OR WELL-MAN CHECKS

CANCER - EARLY DETECTION

Breast Cancer: Examine your own breasts regularly.  See your doctor if you think you have a lump or are aware of any changes in your breasts.  Attend for breast screening when you are invited.  If you are over 64 and wish to have breast screening please phone:  01865 225709 or 01865 768022.

Cervical Cancer: Attend for screening when invited.  Report any abnormal bleeding especially after intercourse.  If you have had the menopause, report any bleeding to your doctor.

Bowel Cancer: See your doctor if you have any bleeding from your bottom.  Do not assume all bleeding is necessarily due to piles.  This is especially true if you are aged over 40.  See your doctor also if you have any changes in bowel habit, or any abdominal pains which are recurrent or persistent, especially if you are aged over 40 and especially if they are accompanied by any change in appetite, weight or energy.

Stomach Cancer: See your doctor if you have any new or recurrent indigestion type pains, especially if you are aged over 40 and especially if accompanied by any change in weight, appetite or energy or by black sticky stools.

Testicle Cancer: Examine your testicles regularly. If you notice any changes see your doctor.

Prostate Cancer: See your doctor if you have to pass urine more frequently or the stream is not as good as it used to be or you have trouble stopping or starting urination.  This is especially true if you are over the age of 40.