A new guide has been launched that can help nurses to advise female patients on reducing their risk of developing cancer through leading a healthier lifestyle.

The guide has been developed with the aim of empowering women at different stages of their lives to develop healthy habits to reduce their risk of cancer and other health conditions.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), which funds research on the prevention of cancer through diet and lifestyle, has launched a new booklet titled theWomens Health Guide.

The guide covers a number of different health factors that can affect a womans cancer risk throughout her life

Jacqui Walker

The booklet promotes the message that women can make small changes to their health and lifestyle that can reduce their risk of developing cancer.

It contains information on cancer prevention, symptoms and screening as well as practical tips on healthy weights, keeping active, breastfeeding, eating well during pregnancy and the menopause.

The guide has simple to use interactive activities such as a quiz, a food diary and an exercise calorie calculator, noted the charity.

It suggested the concise and informative guide was helpful in encouraging behaviour change with patients by making conversations between health professionals and female patients easier.

The positive message is that women can make small changes to their health and lifestyle that can reduce their risk of developing cancer, the charity highlighted.

If we all lived healthy lifestyles, which includes not smoking, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight, around 40 of cancer cases could be prevented, it said.

Jacqui Walker, an advanced nurse practitioner and general practice nurse in Falkirk, said: Womens Health Guide has lots of useful tips and advice for health professionals to use with female patients.

I find it helpful in encouraging behaviour change with my female patients as it makes conversations between them and myself easier, she said.

The guide covers a number of different health factors that can affect a womans cancer risk throughout her life and the simple changes she can make in order to reduce that risk.

Rachel Clark, nutritionist and health promotion manager at WCRF, said: There are so many things that can affect our health on a daily basis that we might not always think about.

For example, having a poor diet, drinking alcohol and not exercising enough can all increase our risk of cancer. However, making small changes can make a huge difference to our overall health and cancer risk.

As a woman and mum, I find it important to be aware of what can affect my overall health so that I can make informed decisions about my lifestyle, said Ms Clark.

This guide has tips for everyone from breastfeeding to eating well and exercising, Id recommend it to all women who want to improve their health, she added.

This guide has tips for everyone from breastfeeding to eating well and exercising

Rachel Clark

To reduce cancer risk, the guide recommends commons sense advice such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising more, eating more fruit, veg, beans and grains and voiding junk food.

It also promotes drinking less alcohol and avoiding sugary drinks, not relying on supplements, breastfeeding babies if possible and not smoking.

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Guide aims to empower women to adopt 'habits to reduce cancer risk' - Nursing Times