January 2018
Welcome to the ebulletin Happy New Year to you all! Welcome to the January issue of Public Health Network Cymru’s e-bulletin. The spotlight this month is ‘World Cancer Day‘. World Cancer Day is a global event that takes please every year on 4 February. This event unites the world’s population in the fight against cancer. It aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action. There are many resources relating to our chosen topic in the Network’s resource database. The presentations and videos of the Dementia Seminar, which took place on 14th December, are now available on the ‘Past Events’ page of the Network website. Our next Seminar due to take place on 14 March 2018 will be The Role of Allied Health Professionals in Public Health. Further information will be available next week. We also have a Sexual Health Conference taking place on 22 March 2018 and we have sent out a ‘call for abstracts’ so if you have anything suitable please contact us. Registration is also open for the conference via Eventbrite. Please get in touch with any information you would like to include on the website or e-bulletin by contacting us at publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk
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We Can. I Can
Spotlight on World Cancer Day
Taking place under the tagline ‘We Can. I Can.’, World Cancer Day 2016-2018 will explore how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, all people have the power to take various actions to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families and communities. World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, make a pledge and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘We Can. I Can.’ make a difference to the fight against cancer. http://www.worldcancerday.org/about/20162018-world-cancer-day-campaign
Cookery class offers support for Llangollen cancer patients – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board A group of male cancer patients joined forces in the kitchen to help with their recovery journey. The ‘Come and Cook’ group based in Llangollen have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen learning how to make healthy curries, salads and pasta dishes that will help them get all the nutrition they need during the challenges they face recovering from cancer. They also receive nutrition lessons during the cooking sessions where they learn about different aspects of food and nutrition and what types of food will benefit them most. The group have been taught to cook by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board dietitians and Senior Macmillan Information and Support Officer Pam Wedley helped secure funding for the course. The course is an accredited course in partnership with Nutrition Skills for Life and Adult Learning Wales. Former Wales, Wrexham and Everton Goalkeeper Dai Davies attended the course to help him understand how good nutrition can aid his recovery from prostate cancer. “I had my prostate removed and I’m having more treatment at the moment. I found out about this course through the prostate cancer support group I go to in Llangollen. “It’s excellent. The camaraderie is fantastic. It’s been fascinating. We have done loads of things like pasta bakes and reduced sugar biscuits. I’m diabetic too so the more knowledge and wisdom you have about how to look after yourself the better. “You can control your condition but it has been a challenge managing the two conditions of the diabetes and cancer. Rather than letting it ruin your life it’s about getting a quality of life back and managing the ill effects of treatment. Malcolm Beer who has been suffering with oesophageal cancer said the course helped him put his life back together after cancer ‘turned his life upside down’. Malcolm can no longer eat large pieces of food because of the operation he had to remove the cancer and so getting his daily calorie needs has been a challenge. He said, “This course is of such benefit to me because keeping weight on is such a challenge, I am learning how to tailor make foods that are healthy but help me keep weight on. “I feel like I’ve really benefitted from it and it’s pitched at just the right level. I’ve cooked before throughout my life but never like this. “My wife is amazed by my progress. She loves the food I’ve been cooking, and it’s given me something to do and helped me use my time effectively. “I can’t say enough good things about this course, it’s great because we have been cooking foods that are all available easily. “It has helped with my health and recovery. I don’t buy ready meals anymore, I make everything from scratch. My world was turned upside down by cancer but this course has really helped me in the process of putting it back together. “I now want to do more cooking courses after this one finishes and I’m looking for good course to do.” Health Improvement Practitioner, Sarah Powell-Jones who led the teaching about nutrition on the 7 week course said, “The group started from a prostate cancer support group that meet in Llangollen but we have men who have been affected by different types of cancer here.
“They are at all different stages of their cancer and so the course was tailored to the differing challenges they face. “This course really is in line with the Health Board’s values – putting people first is at the heart of what we do. We asked the patients what they wanted and they told us. We are really grateful to Macmillan and the Shooting Star Ward via Awyr Las for the funding to run it.” Senior Macmillan worker Pam Wedley said, “It’s about building relationships with people they’ve not met before. In this group we have some patients with oesophageal cancer and the rest have prostate cancer. “With oesophageal cancer the effects of the treatment can be severe and can make swallowing and eating very difficult. “We adapted the course to suit each patient, for example the men with oesophageal cancer have learnt how to make certain recipes that are easy to eat and swallow and are calorie rich but healthy because they can struggle to take the right amount of calories on board. It’s brilliant to see them enjoying learning and also being with each other.”
HPV - a vaccine to help prevent cancer Health Protection Team, Public Health Wales What is HPV? HPV (Human papillomavirus) is the name given to a family of viruses, some of which can cause cancer. There are over 100 types of HPV. As many as half the population will be infected with HPV at some time in their life. Most people don’t get any symptoms and in most cases, the virus doesn't do any harm because our immune systems clear the infection, but for some people the infection persists, and can lead to health problems. In the UK about 3,000 cases of cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix- the neck of the womb) are diagnosed every year, about 900 women die from it. Virtually all cases are caused by HPV. HPV also causes other cancers, including cancer of the anus and penis. Around 40% of penile cancers are attributable to HPV. Overall, anal cancer is more common in women than in men, but higher rates are observed among men who have sex with men (MSM). How is HPV spread? The HPV virus is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection, however non sexual transmission also occurs, this includes mother to baby transmission. How can we prevent HPV? Condom use helps reduce the spread of infection but does not eliminate the risk. Vaccination helps improve protection against HPV. A vaccine called GardasilŽ is currently used in the NHS vaccination programme, it protects against four types of HPV, which between them are responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancers in the UK and also genital warts. Who can have an HPV vaccine on the NHS in Wales? The HPV vaccination programme for girls has been in place since 2008. Girls are routinely offered a course of HPV vaccine in school year 8, the vaccine is usually a course of two vaccines (at least 6 months apart) in this age group, and national uptake is more than 80% in this group. This leaflet provides more information: Your guide to the HPV vaccine. Vaccinating the majority of girls in the UK, means that their future male partners get some protection too. However, men who have sex with men (MSM) receive little indirect health benefit from the routine vaccination programme for girls. The HPV vaccination programme for MSM was introduced in 2017 in Wales and offers a course of HPV vaccine to MSM up to and including 45 years of age when attending sexual health clinics for sexual health services. Other individuals at similar risk of HPV infection may be offered vaccination when attending a clinic, based on a clinical assessment. These include some MSM over 45 years, transgender men and women, HIV positive men and women, and sex workers. The HPV vaccine for those aged 15 years and older is a course of three injections given over 4-12 months. This leaflet provides more information: HPV vaccination for men who have sex with men (MSM) For more information about HPV infection click here
The importance of healthy lifestyle in the prevention of cancer – Pamela Mason A total of 19,088 new cases of cancer were diagnosed and registered amongst the people who live in Wales in 2015. Of these, 9,837 were in men and 9,215 were in women. Overall, this is a 10% increase of 1,699 more cases in 2015 compared with ten years previously. While many people may think that developing cancer is down to their genes or bad luck, public health care professionals will know that about one third of the 13 most common cancers in the UK are thought to be preventable through improved diet, physical activity and body weight with other clear risk factors being smoking and sun damage. For anyone talking to people about living a healthy lifestyle and reducing risk of cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) prevention guidelines are well researched, continually updated and developed according to the best possible evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses where available. The key recommendations for individuals are as follows: • Be as lean as possible within the healthy range of body weight. BMI should be at the lower end of the normal BMI range at the age of 21 and weight gain and increase in waist circumference should be avoided throughout adulthood. There is strong evidence that weight gain, obesity and overweight increase the risk of 11 cancers: bowel, breast (postmenopausal), prostate (advanced), pancreatic, endometrial, kidney, liver, gallbladder, oesophageal (adenocarcinoma), ovarian and stomach cancers. • Be physically active, equivalent to brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes every day and limit sedentary activities. As fitness improves aim for 60 minutes of moderate activity or 30 minutes of more vigorous physical activity everyday. The NHS Active 10 app tracks walking and indicates how many minutes each day you have spent in brisk walking. • Consume energy dense foods (foods providing > 225-275 kcal/100g), sparingly, avoid sugary drinks and consume fast foods sparingly if at all. Fruit juices should also be limited. Relatively unprocessed energy dense foods such as nuts and seeds have not been associated with weight gain when consumed as part of typical diets. • Eat relatively unprocessed grains and/or legumes with every meal, and a variety of at least 400g (5x80g portions) of non-starchy vegetables and fruit of different colours each day. • Limit red meat and avoid processed meat. People who eat red meat should limit this to no more than 500g a week with little or no processed meat. • For cancer prevention it is best not to drink alcohol. People who drink should limit alcohol and follow national guidelines. • Limit salty foods and processed foods with added salt to ensure an intake of less than 6g (2.4g sodium) each day. Avoid consumption of mouldy grains and legumes to minimise exposure to aflatoxins. • Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone. Dietary supplements are not needed for cancer prevention. • Aim to breastfeed infants exclusively for 6 months. • All cancer survivors should receive nutritional care and where possible aim to follow the guidance for cancer prevention. The WCRF recommendations are suitable for all healthy adults, contributing to overall good health as well as prevention of cancer. The focus is on maintaining body weight at the lower end of the normal BMI range of 2025 throughout adult life and being physically active while not drinking alcohol. Dietary recommendations focus on a plant-based diet, including the consumption of unprocessed grains and legumes with every meal and 400g daily of non-starch vegetables and fruits with red meat intake to be limited, processed meat to be avoided and any energy dense and/or salty foods to be consumed very sparingly. In short, and as expressed in a similar way by US journalist, Michael Pollan, eat whole unprocessed food, mostly plants and not too much. Such a diet is good not only for public health and cancer risk reduction but also for the health of the planet. A plant-based diet, with meat or other animal food (if liked), as a condiment, is the basis of a more sustainable diet. Making unprocessed grains, legumes and vegetables the centre of the plate is something we should all consider.
SCHOOL OF HEALTHCARE SCIENCES
Pharmacoeconomics
12th and 13th of April 2018 2 day short course
Covering Medicines and the NHS Orphan and cancer drugs Introduction to Health Technology Assessment Patient outcomes Evidence synthesis Trial-based economic evaluation Resource use and costs Health economic modelling Critical appraisal
Who is it for Pharmacists, clinicians, allied health professionals, postgraduate students and others with an interest in pharmacoeconomics and who wish to learn about the methods and application of health technology assessment. No prior knowledge of economics is required. Course director: Professor Dyfrig Hughes, supported by visiting speakers
Registration deadline 26th of March 2018 Price: ÂŁ750 Includes meals and accommodation at The Management Centre, Bangor For more details contact: Phone: 01248382153 Email: cheme@bangor.ac.uk
Podcasts
You asked us for podcasts and we listened! Public Health Network Cymru have worked with a number of organisations to produce podcasts which can be downloaded and listened to on the go. All the podcasts are available in the ‘Get Involved’ section of the website.
On The Spot This month we have Andy Glyde, Public Affairs Manager for Wales at Cancer Research UK, on the spot.
Where do you currently work and what is your area of expertise? I am the Public Affairs Manager for Wales for Cancer Research UK, which means that I build relationships and work with key stakeholders across Welsh Government, Welsh Assembly, Public Health Wales, Wales Cancer Network, Local Health Boards, among others, in order to improve cancer outcomes in Wales. It is an incredibly varied role, which means that I might be working on things like early diagnosis, access to cancer treatments, obesity and tobacco control, or supporting world-class cancer research, all in the same day. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress in cancer survival so that 3 in 4 people survive their cancer by 2034. One way we look to achieve this is through funding research – last year, we funded over £4 million of cancer research in Wales. We also develop policy on how cancer services and outcomes can be improved, and a large part of my role is making sure we communicate these policies to the right people.
This month’s e-bulletin spotlights Keep Well This Winter. What do you think are the main challenges facing us in addressing issues around this in Wales? Cancer survival is improving in Wales. Back in the 1970s, around 1 in 4 people survived their cancer. Today, forty years on, that figure is now 2 in 4 people. However, while this progress is welcome, Wales still ranks poorly in international comparisons on cancer survival. One of the reasons for this is that we are not diagnosing enough cancers at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. We know that you are three times more likely to survive if you are diagnosed with Stage I/II cancer compared to Stage III/IV cancer. However, for some cancers, like lung, bowel and oesophageal, less half of diagnoses happen at Stage I/II. That means there needs to be a big focus on diagnosing more cancers at the earliest stages. Some good work is already taking place, such as the two rapid diagnostic clinic pilots in Neath Port Talbot and the Royal Glamorgan Hospitals. But we also need to be tackling some of the really difficult issues, such as how we reduce gaps in the diagnostic workforce.
What is the most important message that should be conveyed to professionals and the public around this topic? That, if we work together, we can make big improvements to cancer outcomes in Wales. Of course, earlier diagnosis is only one tool in the arsenal. We know that cancer prevention is equally important – 4 in 10 cancers are down to preventable risk factors. Smoking rates continue to decline in Wales and sit at 19%. But we want to go further. We have been calling on the Welsh Government to set a tobacco-free ambition, where less than 5% of the population across all socio-economic groups smoke, by 2035. Obesity is the biggest preventable cause of cancer after tobacco. Around 24% of children and 59% of adults in Wales are overweight and obese. It is critical that the forthcoming Obesity Strategy aims to tackle this growing problem.
Do you think Wales could be doing more to improve awareness? I think that most people know that there’s more that can be done to improve cancer outcomes in Wales. World Cancer Day, on 4 February, gives us an opportunity to unite and work together to do this.
If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be? 1. That more cancers are diagnosed at Stage I/II so that we can make big improvements in survival. 2. That Wales has a clear plan for ensuring that we have the right workforce, both now and in the future, to meet the demands for cancer tests. 3. That Wales leads the way with a strong Obesity Strategy and adopting a tobacco-free ambition.
What are your personal interests/hobbies? I’m a big football fan (watching rather than playing) and I try to watch the mighty Arsenal whenever I get the opportunity. Since I moved to Wales, I’ve also been following Cardiff City and take full credit for their good form this season. Aside from that, I love reading, writing, music and watching a good boxset. I’ve also found I enjoy a spot of DIY, but this has been out of necessity than choice.
The Grapevine This section of the ebulletin is dedicated to news from the network members. You can submit news on the work being undertaken in your area, write us an article, showcase an upcoming project or show off your achievements! If you would like to submit an article for the Grapevine, please email publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk The article should be no longer than 500 words and pictures are always welcome!
Book your place at the first Welsh Dental Symposium Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government and the Welsh Dental Committee are to host the first Welsh Dental Symposium in March. The two events in North and South Wales will run on 1 March at the Ramada Plaza, Wrexham and 13 March at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff – click the links to register for your chosen location. All professionals with an in interest in oral health and dentistry in Wales are encouraged to attend the symposium including those working in community dental teams, hospital-based staff, Health Board employees and colleagues working for NHS Dental Services, the Wales Deanery, and the School of Dentistry in Cardiff. The events will feature a variety of inspiring speakers, breakout sessions and a marketplace area, which will provide plenty of opportunities to have your voice heard and to get involved in discussions about what’s happening in the world of dentistry in Wales. Highlights of the symposium will include: - Improving Oral Health and Dental services contributing to Prosperity for All - General Dental Services Reform Programme - Innovation in Dentistry Chief Dental Officer for Wales, Dr Colette Bridgman, said: “We are delighted to be able to run these two events across Wales, which are hopefully the first of many more to come. “If you’re interested in hearing about oral health improvement and shaping change in dentistry in Wales I invite you to come along; we’re keen to hear your opinions and ideas. ”Prosperity for All: the national strategy confirms that the Welsh Government is serious about ‘taking significant steps to shift our approach from treatment to prevention’. “Contract reform is needed across dental services in Wales and is a significant part of the dental response to
Prosperity for All, a programme involving 23 dental practices is up and running in Wales. You’ll be able to find out more at the symposium.” Anup Karki, Consultant in Dental Public Health, said: “Dental symposiums will provide a platform for discussion about the opportunities and challenges we face in improving the oral health of our population and in making dental services across Wales sustainable. “The programme for our first symposium covers key priority areas in Wales and I’m very much looking forward to exploring these further.” Warren Tolley, Chair of the Welsh Dental Committee said: “There is no charge to attend this conference, but please make sure you can attend before booking your place; running such an event comes at a considerable cost and we want to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from the symposium.” There is still space available for small display stands in the marketplace area; we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals, or teams, who are doing innovative work in the dental field. If you’re interested in having a stand please email Raylene.Roper@wales.nhs.uk. Visit the event pages to secure you place – register for North Wales here and South Wales here.
Finding Connections MHM Wales
for ages 16+ from MHM Wales and KPC
MHM Wales are facilitating their
Finding Connections programme from KPC Youth & Community for anyone aged 16+ Learn how we think and what we do, and explore different coping skills, strategies & tools to help you to better deal with what life brings. Sessions are Inclusive, Interactive, Supportive and Confidential and open to anyone experiencing stress & anxiety, depression, mental health issues or concerns about their general well-being.
Our Next Finding Connections course will run on Wednesdays 17th, 24th & 31st January from 1pm - 4pm at KPC Youth & Community, Off Pyle Inn Way, Pyle, CF33 6AB We are also running “drop in” sessions on
Weds 10th January
from 10.30—12 midday please feel free to pop into the Café Area in KPC to find out more
Following the sessions, we will run support/info/recreational sessions so that you can continue to access local support. .
Sessions are limited to 12 per programme so please reserve spaces to ensure you have a confirmed place If you or someone you know could benefit from these sessions, contact: KPC Youth & Community, Off Pyle Inn Way, Pyle, Bridgend CF33 6AB Tel: 01656 749219/745399 Email: kpcyouth@hotmail.com MHM Wales: 01656 651450
Engagement Sessions on a New Skills and Knowledge framework for Health Impact Assessment in Wales Details As part of our preparations for the implementation of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) have been developing a new Skills and Knowledge Framework and Practitioner Development Pathway for HIA in Wales. We will be hosting a series of short events during February and March to test out our new framework and skills audit tools to get a wide range of feedback on the framework before we finalise it at the end of March. The framework will inform our future approach to training and capacity building. These sessions are relevant to anyone who has an interest in workforce and professional development in public health, quality and impact, health impact assessment, health inequalities, and healthy public policy.
Details: Dates, Venues and Times February 26th, Denbigh, Caledfryn Building - Morning 10 -12 March 5th, CQ2 Cardiff, Innovation Room, Morning 10-12 March 7th, CQ2 Cardiff, Innovation Room, Morning 10-12 March 12th, Matrix House, Swansea, Morning 10-12 To register please contact Nerys.S.Edmonds@wales.nhs.uk
If you are interested in finding out more about the framework and would be willing to provide us with feedback but are unable to attend one of the above sessions, please contact Nerys.S.Edmonds@wales.nhs.uk who will be happy to discuss via phone or email.
Health Economics for Public Health Practice & Research 2 DAY SHORT COURSE AT BANGOR UNIVERSITY 19th—21st March 2018
Total cost: ÂŁ775 Price includes:
Meals & accommodation from 4pm Monday 19th March to 1.30pm Wednesday 21st March at the Management Centre, Bangor (https://www.bangor.ac.uk/management_centre/)
Course director:
Professor Rhiannon Tudor Edwards, supported by visiting speakers. Registration closes 28th February 2018*
Any questions, please contact:
Mrs Ann Lawton Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation Bangor University Ardudwy Hall Bangor. LL57 2PZ Phone: 01248 382153 Email: cheme@bangor.ac.uk
For more information: http://cheme.bangor.ac.uk/health-economics-course-16.php.cy *Cancellation fee 10% prior to 28th February 2018, 50% cancellation fee after this date.
News Round-Up Welcome to the News Round-Up. Click on the headings of the news item to take you to the full news story on the Public Health Network Cymru Website.
Noncommunicable Diseases BHF and Tesco Join Forces in New Healthy Living Partnership
The British Heart Foundation, Cancer UK and Diabetes UK have today come together with Tesco to help tackle some of the UK’s biggest health challenges.
Children and Young People BBC and Premier League Start ‘Super Movers’
The BBC and Premier League have started a campaign called Super Movers to help primary school teachers encourage children to become more active
Mental Health Mindfulness Boosts Student Mental Health During Exams, Study Finds
Cambridge University research shows technique helps to build resilience among undergraduates even in periods of high stress.
Alcohol Growing Size of Wine Glasses Coincides With More Drinking
Wine glass capacity has increased sevenfold in past 300 years. Alcohol consumption may feature largely in the festive period but rising levels of drinking may be partly due to the growing size of wine glasses, particularly over the past two decades, suggests an article in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
Click Here for more news on the Public Health Network Cymru website
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Supporting Child Migrants in Wales: The Welsh Context of Law, Policy and Practice Cardiff HiAP 2018: A Strategy for Improving Population Health Royal Society of Medicine, London
Working With Groups Cardiff
Get Wales Moving: Delivering on the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act Cardiff Sustainable Ageing: Older People and European Public Policy Beyond 2020 Royal Academies for Science and the Arts of Belgium The Wellbeing Symposium 2018: Making Health and Wellbeing Everyone's Business Ashford International Hotel, Ashford Inclusion of Disabled Children Cardiff
Click Here for more events on the Public Health Network Cymru website
Contact Us Capital Quarter 2 Floor 5 Tyndall Street Cardiff CF10 4BZ www.publichealthnetwork.cymru If you have any news or events to contribute to the next edition please submit them to publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk Deadline for submission is the 3rd Friday of every month.
Next Edition: Intern
national Women’s Day