HEALTH AND CANCER IN THE PENINSULA
The Peninsula Cancer Network covers Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and covers a large geographical area. Apart from the Cities of Plymouth and Exeter, most people live in small towns (population less than 10,000) and in scattered rural communities. Along with the issues of rurality, the Peninsula faces the challenges of ‘peripherality’. The Peninsula juts out into the sea and the urban centres are widely separated from the nearest major urban centres such Bristol and Southampton. The combination of rurality and peripherality means that the choice of health service providers is limited compared to other parts of the country.
Demography
As described in the Cancer Network overview, the population of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is older than that of England. This ageing population of the South West is projected to increase with time. Devon and Cornwall are areas of inward migration for older people who wish to retire to the West Country. The coastal areas are particularly popular and many older people live around the coast line. This has an impact on access to services when the main arterial roads run through the middle of the Peninsula.
Cancer Statistics
Deaths from cancer account for 27% of deaths in the Peninsula.However, cancer is the greatest cause of premature death (deaths under the age of 75 years) and accounts for 38% of deaths compared to 28% caused by heart disease and strokes.
Click here for information on deaths from cancer in the Peninsula in 2005
Cancer of the lung and bronchus remains the commonest cause of premature death and this highlights the need to continue and strengthen the initiatives to prevent and stop smoking.
The causes of death from cancer in the Peninsula mirror those nationally, apart from malignant melanoma where the Peninsula has highest rates in England and malignant mesothelioma which is a legacy of occupational exposure to asbestos from the ship building industry, mainly in Plymouth. The South West Public Health Observatory has produced specific reports on these cancers in the West Country and these are linked below. Please click below to access the information
Malignant melanoma
Malignant mesothelioma
Although, both these cancers lead to relatively small numbers of deaths compared to breast, prostate and gastrointestinal cancers, they are important as the potential for prevention is so great.
Restrictions on asbestos will prevent future workers and their relatives developing malignant mesothelioma but there is a great challenge to limit sun exposure to prevent the steadily increasing rates of malignant melanoma.
Click here for information on Cancer Incidence and trends in the Peninsula
Preventing Cancer
Did you know that half of all cancers could be prevented by the choices you make? Here are some top tips to help you avoid cancer.
1. Don't smoke and don't breathe others' tobacco smoke
2. Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg each day and aim for a healthy weight
3. If you drink alcohol, have no more than 2-3 units a day (women) or 3-4 units a day (men)
4. Protect yourself from the sun. Cover up, keep in the shade, never burn and use factor 15 plus sunscreen. Take extra care to protect children
5. Make the decision to go for cancer screening when invited.
The first national campaign of vaccination to prevent cancer was announced in October 2007. The government is introducing a vaccination programme for young girls against the human papilloma virus. This exciting public health campaign will protect women against the strains of the virus which cause around 7 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer.
Screening and Early Identification
Screening programmes for breast and cervical cancers are well established within the Peninsula. There is a Peninsula wide breast cancer screening group and the minutes and agenda are available on this web-site. Bowel cancer screening is in place in South Devon and Plymouth and is starting in Exeter and Truro to offer the national screening programme throughout the Peninsula.
For further information about this group, please contact Coral Styles, Network Group and Peer Review Manager (coral.styles@nhs.net) or Fiona Dyroff, Meetings Administrator (fionadyroff@nhs.net)