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Goodbye to the people we've lost in 2016, and hello to positive changes in 2017

8 minute read time.
FormerMember
FormerMember

In this blog, senior editor Tess looks back at a year where we’ve lost a number of well-loved people in the public eye, and looks ahead to 2017 with some positive ideas for New Year’s resolutions that can reduce everyone’s cancer risk.

Image shows photos of celebrities who have died from cancer in 2016.

In 2016 we’ve had to say goodbye to far too many of our favourite famous faces. And because sadly the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is growing, it’s not surprising that quite a few of them died from cancer.

The year got off to a sad start when David Bowie died of liver cancer and Alan Rickman died of pancreatic cancer in January. And as 2016 went on, we lost Paul Daniels to a brain tumour, and Terry Wogan and Victoria Wood to cancer. Caroline Aherne died of lung cancer in July, and in the video below (courtesy of ITN) you can watch her talking about her diagnosis and treatment at the launch of the Macmillan Cancer Improvement Partnership in Manchester in 2014: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qckiUxKSI4E

You might also have lost a family member or friend to cancer this year. We know that Christmas can be an especially difficult time if you have, and our support line is here for you if you need us. You might also find our information about bereavement helpful. This information is also available as a free booklet.  

Image shows the cover of our booklet After someone dies, coping with bereavement

Looking ahead to 2017

As 2016 comes to an end, as well as looking back at the year, we’re all starting to think about moving forwards into 2017. And if you're planning your New Year's resolutions, why not think about healthy changes you can make that will also reduce your cancer risk? Below are some ideas.

Give up smoking
If you smoke, then giving up is the healthiest change you can make. Smokers are much more likely to get cancer than non-smokers. And over a quarter of all cancer deaths (28%) in the UK are caused by smoking.

Our information about giving up smoking covers all the benefits of giving up. It also has practical advice about how to stop smoking and stay stopped.

Eat healthily
January’s always a time when people start trying to eat more healthily after over-indulging at Christmas. But did you know that a well-balanced diet can also reduce your cancer risk? Experts think that up to 1 in 10 cancers (10%) in the UK may be linked to diet.

For a well-balanced diet:

  • eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods
  • cut down on red meat and processed meats like bacon.

Keep to a healthy weight
Being overweight increases the risk of many types of cancer. Try to keep your weight within the normal range for your height – you can find out what this is in the chart below:

The image shows a chart that compares height (on a horizontal axis) with weight (on a vertical axis) so that people can work out their body mass index (BMI). BMI is your body mass divided by the square of your height. The chart uses four colours to show which height and weight combinations are under-weight, a healthy weight, over-weight, obese and very obese.

If you’re overweight, the best way to lose weight is by eating a well-balanced diet and being more physically active.

Get active
Physical activity is a great way to get in shape after a few too many mince pies at Christmas. And even better, doing regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cancer.

If you’re not sure which type of exercise to try or how much to do, the infographic below shows the recommendations for adults in the UK:

The diagram has three columns that show how much physical activity is recommended for adults in the UK. The first column is ‘Be active – keep your heart and mind healthy’. Beneath this is a row called ‘How often’ and it shows that you should aim do 150 minutes of moderate activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. Under the 150 minutes there are three icons showing that walking, gardening and swimming count as moderate activity. Under the 75 minutes are icons showing that running, sports and taking the stairs count as vigorous activity. The second main column is called ‘Build strength – strengthen muscles, bones and joints’. In the ‘How often’ row, it suggests doing these sorts of exercises 2 days a week. Below the ‘How often’ row are three icons showing that going to the gym, doing aerobics and carrying bags of shopping are strength exercises. The third main column is called ‘Improve balance – reduce your risk of falling’. In the ‘How often’ row, it suggests doing these sorts of exercises 2 days a week. Below the ‘How often’ row are three icons showing that dancing, tai chi and bowling are balance exercises. A final row at the bottom is called ‘Sit Less’. This has icons of a TV, a sofa and a computer. Under these it says ‘Break up long periods of sitting down to help keep your muscles, bones, and joints strong’. The diagram has three columns that show how much physical activity is recommended for adults in the UK. The first column is ‘Be active – keep your heart and mind healthy’. Beneath this is a row called ‘How often’ and it shows that you should aim do 150 minutes of moderate activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. Under the 150 minutes there are three icons showing that walking, gardening and swimming count as moderate activity. Under the 75 minutes are icons showing that running, sports and taking the stairs count as vigorous activity. The second main column is called ‘Build strength – strengthen muscles, bones and joints’. In the ‘How often’ row, it suggests doing these sorts of exercises 2 days a week. Below the ‘How often’ row are three icons showing that going to the gym, doing aerobics and carrying bags of shopping are strength exercises. The third main column is called ‘Improve balance – reduce your risk of falling’. In the ‘How often’ row, it suggests doing these sorts of exercises 2 days a week. Below the ‘How often’ row are three icons showing that dancing, tai chi and bowling are balance exercises. A final row at the bottom is called ‘Sit Less’. This has icons of a TV, a sofa and a computer. Under these it says ‘Break up long periods of sitting down to help keep your muscles, bones, and joints strong’.

Cut down on alcohol
Alcohol has been linked with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of cancer.

NHS guidelines suggest that both men and women should:

  • not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol in a week
  • spread the alcohol units they drink in a week over three or more days
  • try to have several alcohol-free days every week.

A unit of alcohol is half a pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider, one small glass (125ml) of wine, or a single measure (25ml) of spirits.

Take care in the sun and don’t use sunbeds
The thought of sunshine feels very far off at the moment. But if you like looking tanned all year round, use fake-tanning lotions or sprays. Avoid using sunbeds or sunlamps, as this can increase your risk of skin cancers.

And when the sun does come out, protect your skin from burning. If you’re going to be out in the sun for longer than a few minutes, use a suncream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. It should also have a UVA star rating of 4 or 5.

Image shows 4 booklet covers - Giving up smoking, Healthy eating and cancer, Physical activity and cancer and the Move More pack

You may already have been thinking about some of the New Year’s resolutions listed in this blog, as you probably knew they were good decisions for your health. But knowing they can also reduce your cancer risk will hopefully motivate you to make 2017 the year you make these changes. For more tips or information about any of them, you can order our free booklets.

We also have more information about reducing your cancer risk. It’s available as a free booklet too.

Image shows the cover of our booklet Signs and symptoms of cancer - what to be aware of

Photo credits
David Bowie – Jimmy King. Alan Rickman – Grant Pollard/Invision/AP. Victoria Wood – Getty Images. Paul Daniels – Paul Daniels Magic World. Terry Wogan – BBC. Caroline Aherne – PA.

To see what else Macmillan's cancer information team has been blogging about, please visit our blog home page! You can subscribe to receive our blogs by email or RSS too.

We're with you every step of the way

The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.

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Keep in touch Follow Macmillan’s cancer information team on Twitter @mac_cancerinfo

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I am new to this site and am finding it very useful!!

    I lost my partner to lung cancer on the 22nd june 2016, and will be my first Christmas without him, he was 58 and had lung cancer an aggressive form which spread to his shoulder blade and was inoperable in august last year. the help he received from macmillan cancer support was amazing and I will always be grateful to your organisation.

    yours sincerely

    sarah

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Sarah, 

    I'm very sorry to hear about your partner. It's never easy to lose someone you love, and this time of year can be especially difficult. But I'm so pleased that Macmillan were able to help your partner and that you have now found support here on the community. Please keep reading and getting support from everyone!

    Warm wishes,

    Elissia 

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