World Cancer Day: Free Webinar on Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention

The Irish Cancer Prevention Network will mark World Cancer Day tomorrow with a free public webinar, as the global campaign "United by Unique" highlights people-centred cancer care and the power of prevention.

World Cancer Day takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 February, with events worldwide focusing on the international campaign theme "United by Unique". The three-year campaign, running from 2025 to 2027, places people at the centre of cancer care, recognising that behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story of grief, pain, healing, resilience and love.

The Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN) will mark the day by hosting a free public webinar entitled Small Steps, Big Impact: Physical Activity for Cancer Risk Reduction. The event aims to share practical information on how movement can lower cancer risk, with all members of the public welcome to register here.

World Cancer Day is an international awareness day held each year on 4 February, organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The day seeks to raise awareness of cancer and to empower individuals, populations and governments to take action to prevent and tackle cancer. This year's "United by Unique" theme emphasises that cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis, focusing on people-centred approaches that integrate each individual's unique needs with compassion and empathy.

The webinar comes as new figures reveal that 1 in 2 people living in Ireland will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Each individual's risk of getting cancer is influenced by factors they cannot change, like age and genetics, and things they can change, like diet, alcohol consumption, exercise and sun protection. According to the World Health Organisation, 30-50% of all cancers are preventable through changes to lifestyle and environmental factors.

There is strong evidence that regular physical activity can help lower the risk of at least seven common cancers, including breast, bowel, womb and kidney cancer. Exercise supports healthy hormone and insulin levels, reduces inflammation and helps maintain a healthy body weight. Any amount of physical activity is better than none when it comes to being healthy, with particular evidence suggesting that physical activity reduces bowel, breast and womb cancer.

Dr Breeda Neville, Consultant in Public Health, HSE National Cancer Control Programme, says:

"World Cancer Day is an important opportunity to highlight evidence-based information on how small, realistic lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on cancer risk. Physical activity is one of the most effective and accessible prevention strategies, and this webinar aims to provide practical information on easy ways to add movement in everyday life."

The webinar will feature a panel of experts covering practical steps to reduce cancer risk. Prof Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Dublin City University, will discuss how physical activity reduces cancer risk and what the evidence shows. Dr Emer Guinan, Associate Professor in Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship at Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital, will provide practical lifestyle guidance on easy ways to add movement at home, work or in the community.

Janette Boran, Healthy Kilkenny Co-ordinator with Kilkenny County Council, will discuss the UcanACT project, which focuses on the built environment in terms of physical activity. One of the project outcomes aims to engage adults and senior citizens to participate in physical activity within public green spaces.

Dr Patricia Sheehan, Lecturer and Active Exercise Oncology Researcher at South East Technological University, will discuss the importance of physical activity for everyone across the cancer spectrum and provide an overview of the ExWell Programme, which is delivered in community settings and offers safe, supervised, supportive exercise in group classes.

Dr Emer Guinan says:

"Being physically active doesn't have to mean joining a gym or making big changes overnight. Small steps like walking more, breaking up long periods of sitting, or choosing activities you enjoy at home, work or in your community can make a real difference. The key is to start where you are, overcome barriers gradually, and choose safe, age-appropriate ways to move that fit into everyday life."

Janette Boran says:

"The UcanACT project highlights how physical activity in public spaces, particularly urban green spaces, can be woven into everyday life. By focusing on the built environment, the programme supports adults and older people to be more active in their local communities, ultimately helping to build healthier lifestyles."

Dr Patricia Sheehan says:

"Physical activity is a powerful, evidence-based tool across the entire cancer journey from prevention to survivorship. The ExWell programme delivers clinically supervised exercise in local communities, they help people regain fitness, independence and wellbeing in a way that is safe, supportive and genuinely enjoyable."

The webinar will conclude with a panel discussion where attendees can ask questions. Adults are advised to aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, along with muscle strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week. However, any amount of activity is better than none.

The global World Cancer Day campaign recognises that traditional cancer care often focuses only on biology and symptoms, overlooking key social and environmental factors like income, support systems and living conditions, which play a crucial role in how people experience and recover from cancer. The "United by Unique" campaign calls for a more holistic, compassionate approach that sees the person before the patient.

The Irish Cancer Prevention Network is a partnership between the HSE National Cancer Control Programme, Marie Keating Foundation, Irish Cancer Society, Breakthrough Cancer Research and HSE National Screening Service. For more information on cancer prevention and how to reduce cancer risk, visit www.hse.ie/preventcancer.