Thursday, 23rd November
Information sessions open to the public to raise awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer will take place next Thursday 23rd of November at 11am in the Youth Centre in Knocknaheeny and 2pm in The Hut in Gurranabraher. These information sessions hosted by the HSE Cork & Kerry Alcohol Strategy Group and in partnership with the Cork Cancer Action Network will mark this year’s European Awareness Week on Alcohol Related Harm. The European theme for 2017 is to highlight the link between alcohol and cancer.
The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the scientific evidence in 2010 and confirmed that alcohol can cause 8 types of cancer including that of the mouth, larynx (voicebox), oesophagus (foodpipe), pharynx, bowel, breast, pancreas and liver.
Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Tony Fitzgerald will officially launch the information sessions and there will also be guest speakers from the Irish Cancer Society and the Cork Cancer Research Centre. The HSE “ask about alcohol” Campaign www.askaboutalcohol.ie launched earlier this year will be highlighted at these events. “Drink less and gain more; energy, sleep, wellbeing, health” is a key message of the askaboutalcohol.ie campaign, which also promotes people to drink less and reduce your risk of cancer.
These awareness raising information sessions are open to the general public, young people, parents, educators, healthcare workers and people who are worried about themselves or a loved one to attend. There will be information stands as well as presentations at each event for people to gather a greater awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer.
