Cancer prevention QI modules
There is a link between modifiable lifestyle behaviours and cancer risk, with one in three cancers considered preventable.1
The primary health care sector has a significant role in the prevention of cancer. Its workforce is vital in opportunistically and proactively addressing cancer prevention. There is clear evidence of the effectiveness of brief interventions to support smoking cessation and promote healthy lifestyle choices, these include:
- reducing alcohol consumption
- eating a healthy diet
- increasing physical activity, and;
- reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation).2,3,4
Primary health care providers play an important role in providing advice on the benefits of lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk, and referring people to appropriate services and interventions when required.
The toolkit's cancer prevention QI modules aim to help your practice to identify and support patients to change modifiable lifestyle behaviours.
Start the module
1. Nunez C, Nair-Shalliker V, Sarich P, Sitas F, Bauman A. Modifiable lifestyle factors and cancer risk: An Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (www.saxinstitute.org.au) for the Cancer Institute NSW, 2018. Available at: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/about-cancer/document-library/modifiable-lifestyle-factors-cancer-risk-and-effec
2. Beyer F, Lynch E, Kaner E. Brief Interventions in Primary Care: an Evidence Overview of Practitioner and Digital Intervention Programmes. Curr Addict Rep. 2018;5(2):265-273. doi:10.1007/s40429-018- 0198-7
3. Lion A, Vuillemin A, Thornton JS, Theisen D, Stranges S, Ward M. Physical activity promotion in primary care: a Utopian quest?. Health Promot Int. 2019;34(4):877-886. doi:10.1093/heapro/day038
4. Van Schayck OCP, Williams S, Barchilon V, et al. Treating tobacco dependence: guidance for primary care on life-saving interventions. Position statement of the IPCRG [published correction appears in NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2017 Sep 5;27(1):52]. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2017;27(1):38. Published 2017 Jun 9. doi:10.1038/s41533-017-0039-5