News Date: Monday 30th January 2006
Tim spins the Wheel of Life in aid of cancer awareness
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton has played Cancer Research's computer game the Wheel of Life in the hope of encouraging people to change their behaviour and lessen their chances of developing cancer.
Players of the game are awarded points according to where the spinning wheel stops. The more points you receive the worse the activity landed on is for your health. For example, when Tim's spin landed on the smoking section he received 500 points but when he landed on the healthy eating section he had his total number of points reduced.
The Wheel of Life game has been produced by the charity Cancer Research UK as part of their Reduce the Risk campaign. The higher the number of points which are scored by a player the higher their risk of contracting cancer would be if they were to live the life the wheel determined.
Reduce the Risk highlights five ways in which someone can change their lifestyle and lower their cancer risk. By not smoking or sunbathing excessively and by exercising, consuming healthy products and reporting concerns to your doctor, your chances of developing and dying from cancer are greatly reduced.
Tim commented:
"It is amazing news that half of all cancers could be prevented by changes in lifestyle. It is important for people to know this so that when they make decisions like what to eat and whether to smoke they know the risks they might be taking with their health.
"The most important thing people can do to reduce their cancer risk is to stop smoking and loose weight. I am deeply concerned by the rising number of people who are classified as obese. Obesity is linked to cancers of the bowel, kidney, stomach, womb and breast.
"To help people lose weight, Cancer Research and Weight Concern have joined together to produce a top ten simple tips which people will find helpful if they are aiming to lose weight. Tips include advice to check labels on food in supermarkets for fat content, to think carefully before eating second portions and to remember to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day."
Note to editors:
1) To find out more about the Reduce the Risk campaign and about Cancer Research, please visit www.reducetherisk.org.uk or call Lyn Daly on 07050 267 359.
2) The top ten tips for weight loss have been produced by Cancer Research and Weight Concern and are as follows:
Keep to your meal routine
Try to eat at roughly the same times each day, whether this is two or five times a day.
Go reduced fat
Choose reduced fat versions of foods such as dairy products, spreads and salad dressings where you can. Use them sparingly as some can still be high in fat.
Walk off the weight
Walk 10,000 steps (equivalent to 60-90 minutes moderate activity) each day. You can use a pedometer to help count the steps. You can break-up your walking throughout the day.
Pack a healthy snack
If you snack, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit or low calorie yogurts instead of chocolate or crisps.
Look at the labels
Be careful about food claims. Check the fat and sugar content on food labels when shopping and preparing food.
Caution with your portions
Don't heap food on your plate (except vegetables). Think twice before having second helpings.
Up on your feet
Break up your sitting time. Stand up for ten minutes out of every hour.
Think about your drinks
Choose water or sugar-free squashes. Unsweetened fruit juice is high in natural sugar so limit it to 1 glass per day (200ml/ 1/3 pint). Alcohol is high in calories. Try to limit the amount you drink.
Focus on your food
Slow down. Don't eat on the go or while watching TV. Eat at a table if possible.
Don't forget your 5 a day
Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day (400g in total).
?, Tim Loughton MP , 2006
