Cancer awareness, early detection and learning to make healthy life choices can make a significant difference in once life. There are health conditions, including cancer where with a healthy lifestyle, small changes to our daily life, attending for scheduled screenings and vaccinations can significantly reduce risks.

Suffering from a mental health problem does not prevent one from the risks of developing cancer but rather increase the risks. A direct link between mental health disorders and risk of cancer was not always confirmed by studies. However, there are reports that indicate that there are higher risks to cancer related to behaviours associated with mental health problems including smoking, binge drinking, lack of physical activity, inadequate sleep and a tendance towards overweight and obesity.  

With this in mind, the Commissioner for Mental Health would like to stress the importance of the development of interventions to reduce the risk among individuals with emerging mental health problems in order to promote health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan. The Commissioner strongly supports the initiative by the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing to encourage all persons to take up opportunities for screening programmes. Avoiding all forms of smoking and consumption of alcohol. Attending for cessation classes or support groups is highly recommended. Ensuring adequate protection when one is exposed to the sun and get recommended vaccination to prevent certain cancers is very important. Last but not least adhering to a healthy diet and keeping active is beneficial not just to prevent cancer but the key to overall wellbeing including improved outcomes when dealing with mental health problems.

For support contact the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate.