Earlier this week the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, launched a new code against cancer focused on what people in Europe can do to halve our chances of cancer.

Currently each year in the European Union 2.66 million new cancer cases and 1.28 million people die from cancer every year. Imagine halving this.

The code is about highlighting what we can all do to prevent cancer. Things like avoiding tabacco, excessive alcohol, excessive sunlight and taking part in organised programmes cancel screening programmes.

1. Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco.
2. Make your home smoke-free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace.
3. Take action to be a healthy body weight.
4. Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting.
5. Have a healthy diet – Eat plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits. Limit high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat) and avoid sugary drinks. Avoid processed meat; limit red meat and foods high in salt.
6. If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.
7. Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use sunbeds.
8. In the workplace, protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions
9. Find out if you are exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your home. Take action to reduce high radon levels.
10. For women – Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby. Limit the use of Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) it increases the chance of cancer.
11. Ensure your children take part in vaccination programmes for – Hepatitis B (for newborns), Human papillomavirus (HPV) (for girls).
12. Take part in organised cancer screening programmes for – Bowel cancer (men and women), Breast cancer (women), Cervical cancer (women).

These 12 points don’t guarantee anything except that you and I would be doing the most we possibly can to avoid cancer. But that has to be a great idea.