Reducing your risk of cancer

The cause of cancer in different individuals is not always clear, but there are things that can increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer.

It’s a good idea to recognise possible symptoms of cancer so that you can speak to a GP if you notice any symptoms that are not normal for you.

Learn about the symptoms of cancer and how to reduce your risk

We recently held an event designed to empower you with practical tips about cancer prevention.

Watch this free recording of the event

This free event, brought to you by the West Wandsworth PCN (Danbury Avenue Surgery, Putneymead Group Medical Practice, The Alton Practice and The Roehampton Lane Surgery NHS Teams), is designed to empower you with practical tips and engage you in meaningful conversations about prevention.

We're delighted to offer this event for the SWL community and a wider audience, bringing accessible health information to everyone who wants to learn.

Speakers include:

  • Dr Farwa Hasan, GP Partner & Trainer - The Alton Practice
  • Dr Kanchana Jayathilake, GP Partner - Danebury Avenue Surgery
  • Dr Maria Wallace, GP Partner and Cancer Clinical Lead for Wandsworth - Putneymead Group MP
  • Dr Niru Nirmalan, GP Partner - Roehampton Lane Surgery

You may also be eligible for the HPV and/or the Hepatitis vaccine, which can reduce your risk of certain cancers. Here is some further information about these vaccinations:

Cancer Screening

Early detection is the detection of cancer at the earliest possible stage, when the disease is easiest to treat. It looks to identify those few people at risk of cancer within the larger population, and to assess the best possible actions for those people.

Cancers can be detected earlier through a number of approaches, including screening programmes across the population, surveillance of people with high-risk conditions and individual personal education to support early diagnosis of warning signs for potential cancer.

Learn more about NHS screening programmes below:

Prostate Cancer Screening

Although there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer, we do know that men with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are at increased risk.

Take a moment to check your risk using the prostate cancer UK risk checker using the link below and then discuss the result with your GP.

Visit the Prostate Cancer UK website

Cancer Support Services

Cancer Care Map

If you are living with cancer, this cancer care map directory of supportive services can help you to locate resources near you.

Visit the Cancer Care Map website

Orchid - Fighting Male Cancer

Orchid exists to save men's lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness.

Visit the Orchid website

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support is a leading UK charity providing comprehensive emotional, practical, financial, and medical support to people affected by cancer.

Visit  the   Macmillan  website

Cancer Research UK

Free information service provided by Cancer Research UK about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families.

Visit the Cancer Research website

Live Well With Cancer

Making day-to-day life a little bit better for people living with cancer.

Visit the Live Well With Cancer website

Prostate Cancer UK

Have you or any of your loved ones recently had prostate surgery and are experiencing issues? Are you interested in meeting others who, like you, are coping with these issues?

Visit the Prostate Cancer UK website

Support at the practice

Contact the practice to book an appointment with our in-house social prescriber to learn more about cancer support.