A NEW campaign has been launched in a bid to encourage women to monitor their alcohol intake as research suggests there are breast cancer risks associated with alcohol.
The ‘Spot of Lunch’ campaign, launched by the council and in partnership with the Yorkshire and the Humber Alcohol Alliance, are using TV, online and Facebook in a bid to help women make more informed choices on their alcohol consumption.
Latest figures show one in seven UK females will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and 23 per cent of cases were preventable.
Any level of regular drinking increases the risks with estimates showing that drinking two units a day causes one extra woman out of every 50 to develop breast cancer.
Rates of alcohol-related breast cancer are higher across Yorkshire and the Humber when compared to the average for England.
People across Barnsley are being encouraged to visit the campaign website at www.reducemyrisk.tv/ for facts and myths, real stories and tips to reduce drinking, including taking more drink free days with the One You Drink Free Days app.
Julia Burrows, Director of Public Health for Barnsley Council, said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. There are some risk factors you can’t change, like ageing and family history, but you can reduce the risk by changing and limiting alcohol intake.
“The evidence is clear that the risk of developing breast cancer increases the more we regularly drink alcohol. A really good way to reduce drinking is to try and have some drink free days each week.
"This gives your body a chance to recover and stops drinking becoming part of the daily routine.”
Visit www.reducemyrisk.tv/ for more information
