Reduce your risk publications

While we do not know everything about how to prevent and treat cancer we have learned a lot over the years on the subject.

It is now clear that you can reduce your risk of cancer hugely by following the European Code against Cancer.  Knowing the signs and symptoms of cancer is also important and attending screening programmes helps you to spot it early. It is also important to get to know your body and check it for change that could be cancer. Spotting cancer makes a real difference to you chance of surviving a diagnosis.

The booklets, leaflets, factsheets, posters and other resources listed below provide information on:

  1. How to reduce your risk of developing a variety of cancers
  2. How to spot cancer early
  3. Smoking, how to prepare to quit and quit for good
  4. A number of specific cancers such as breast, bowel, prostate and lung.

Check them out and decide what one change you will make to reduce your cancer risk and to spot it early.

Smoking

Smoking is linked to one in every three cancers in this country. For this reason if you are a smoker the best thing you can do to reduce your cancer risk is quit. The resources in this section are designed to support you think about your habit, quit and stay quit.

Reducing your risk

The European Code Against Cancer gives advice on 12 ways you can reduce your cancer risk. These resources give you the key messages from this code that you can help you make choices to reduce your risk.

Spot Cancer Early

You are more likely to survive cancer if you find it at an early stage. Our Spot Cancer Early resources give you information on some of the key changes  to look for when checking your body for change that could be cancer

A focus on diet, physical activity, weight and alcohol

  • Reduce your risk of cancer by diet, physical activity and weight leaflet
    Scientists estimate that about one in every three of the 13 most common cancers could be prevented through improved diet, physical activity and body weight. This booklet gives you tips on the small changes you can make to reduce your risk.
    Published: 2014 Next revise: 2017

  • Alcohol, Cancer and Your Health leaflet
    You can reduce your chance of getting cancer if you avoid alcohol or drink only a little.  In this booklet find out the real facts about the link between alcohol and cancer, what is in a measure and  get tips to help you tackle your drinking.
    Published: 2014  Next revise: 2017

Women's health

These resources give information on cancer in general along with information on specific cancers that affect women.

Men's health

These booklets provide information and advice about men's health and cancers that affect men.

  • Manual For Men booklet
    This booklet is for men. It looks at how your lifestyle affects your cancer risk and how to spot cancer early. It includes details on testicular and prostate cancer. It also gives you tips on how to make the best of a visit to your doctor.
    Published: 2017

  • Prostate cancer - what you should know leaflet
    This leaflet gives you an overview of  prostate cancer, what affects your risk, how it is diagnosed and more.
    Published: 2016

  • Understanding the PSA test booklet
    This booklet has been written to give you information about the PSA test.  You can use it when deciding to have a PSA test or not and to learn more about the test.
    Published: 2014 Next revise: 2016

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. It is very rare in people under 15 years of age. But over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from childhood onwards affects your risk. These leaflets and posters below give you tips on what you can do to protect your skin when outdoors and how to check your skin for changes that could be skin cancer.

  • Be SunSmart leaflet
    Get advice on how you can protect your skin when you are outdoors to reduce your risk of skin cancer from this leaflet..
    Published: 2016 Next revise: 2018

  • Be SunSmart poster
    Get advice on how you can protect your skin when you are outdoors to reduce your risk of skin cancer from this poster.
    Published: 2014 Next revise: 2017

  • Protecting children and young people from ultraviolet radioation damage factsheet (Download only)
    This factsheet is not available in print format.  It gives advice to people working with children and young people on how to protect their skin when outdoors.
    Published: 2014 Next revise: 2016

  • Melanoma - what you should know leaflet
    This leaflet gives you information on what to check your skin for when looking for change that could be melanoma skin cancer.

  • Sunbed poster
    Using a sunbed greatly increases your risk of melanoma skin cancer.  This poster advises against sunbed use and highlights that there is nothing safe about them.
    Published: 2014 Next revise: 2018

Bowel cancer

  • Bowel cancer - What you should know booklet
    This leaflet tells you about what bowel cancer is and how to reduce your risk. It also give information on bowel screening and more.
    Revised: 2016

  • Bowel cancer awareness bookmark
    This bookmark encourages you to know the signs of bowel cancer. It also advises you to speak to your doctor without delay if you notice a change that could be bowel cancer.
    Published: 2013  Next revise: 2016

Lung cancer

Other publications

Order any of these booklets

To order print copies of any of these publications, see our online ordering form.

Date Last Reviewed: 
Thursday, June 8, 2017

Prostate cancer information

Read more about the risk factors for prostate cancer and know the signs and symptoms.

Download the leaflet

12 ways to reduce your cancer risk infographic

View infographic

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Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin, D04 VX65, Ireland
Tel +353 (0)1 2310 500 | info@irishcancer.ie