Almost half of all cancers can be prevented which is why the Emanuele Cancer Research Foundation Malta is issuing a call for applications encouraging young people to become ambassadors for the European Code against Cancer.

This code is a European Commission initiative geared to inform people about the actions they can take for themselves and their families to reduce their risk of cancer. 

It consists of 12 recommendations people can follow to prevent this disease – the more they follow, the lower their risk of cancer. [See box]

With this in mind, the European Cancer League, of which the Emanuele Cancer Research Foundation Malta is a member, initiated an international network of ambitious public health enthusiasts as Youth Ambassadors. This followed discussions about the most appropriate ways to disseminate and promote this code among European youth. 

Communicating positive health messages to people from a young age is crucial to instil health-supporting behaviours that will last across the course of their life. 

The task of a Youth Ambassador is to ensure effective dissemination of the European Code against Cancer. Those chosen, will be provided with training opportunities to master their health promotion skills and broaden their knowledge of cancer prevention. 

They will also be given administrative and financial assistance for projects and campaigns aimed at promoting cancer prevention messages to their peers and the public. 

The Emanuele Cancer Research Foundation Malta is inviting interested persons aged between 18 and 35 to apply to be a Youth Ambassador for Malta by sending an email on info@ecrfmalta.com by March 22, 2021.

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• Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco.
• Make your home smoke free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace.
• Take action to be a healthy body weight.
• Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting.
• Have a healthy diet:
  • Eat plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits.
  • Limit high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat) and avoid sugary drinks.
  • Avoid processed meat; limit red meat and foods high in salt.
• If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.
• Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use sunbeds.
• In the workplace, protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions.
• Find out if you are exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your home. Take action to reduce high radon levels.
• FOR WOMEN:
• Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of certain cancers. Limit use of HRT.
• Ensure your children take part in vaccination programmes for:
• Hepatitis B (for newborns)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) (for girls).
• Take part in organised cancer screening programmes for: 
• Bowel cancer (men and women)
• Breast cancer (women)
• Cervical cancer (women).