Irish Cancer Prevention Network marks World Cancer Day with a free public webinar on Physical Activity for Cancer Risk Reduction

The Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN) will mark World Cancer Day (Wednesday, 4 February) by hosting a free public webinar entitled Small Steps, Big Impact: Physical Activity for Cancer Risk Reduction. All are welcome to register for the ICPN’s World Cancer Day webinar

Register for the webinar

Any amount of physical activity is better than none when it comes to being healthy and there is strong evidence to suggest that physical activity reduces bowel, breast and womb cancer in particular. The webinar will share easy ways to add movement into your everyday life.

World Cancer Day (WCD) is an international awareness day held each year on 4 February. The day seeks to raise awareness of cancer and to empower individuals, populations and governments to take action to prevent and tackle cancer.

1 in 2 people living in Ireland will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Each individual’s risk of getting cancer is influenced by a wide range of factors. Things that we can’t change (like our age and genetics) and things that we can change (like what we eat, whether we drink alcohol, exercise, and protect our skin from the sun).  According to the World Health Organisation 30-50% of all cancers are preventable through changes to lifestyle and environmental factors. We can all take steps to reduce our risk of cancer.

For World Cancer Day 2026, the Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN) - comprised of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Marie Keating Foundation, Irish Cancer Society, Breakthrough Cancer Research and HSE National Screening Service - plans to increase public awareness that physical activity can reduce your risk of cancer.

Dr Breeda Neville, Consultant in Public Health, HSE NCCP, says: “World Cancer Day is an important opportunity to highlight evidence-based information on how small, realistic lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on cancer risk. Physical activity is one of the most effective and accessible prevention strategies, and this webinar aims to provide practical information on easy ways to add movement in everyday life.”

There is strong evidence that regular physical activity can help lower the risk of at least seven common cancers, including breast, bowel, womb and kidney cancer. Exercise supports healthy hormone and insulin levels, reduces inflammation and helps maintain a healthy body weight — and importantly, any amount of activity is better than none.

The webinar will cover practical steps to reduce our cancer risk with a panel of experts.

Topics covered will include:

• Prof Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology in the School of Health and Human Performance, DCU will discuss how physical activity reduces cancer risk – what the evidence shows and how exercise lowers cancer risk.
• Dr Emer Guinan, Associate Professor in Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Trinity College Dublin will discuss practical lifestyle guidance on easy ways to add movement at home, work or in the community and where to start, how to overcome barriers and safe ways to be physically active for all ages
• Janette Boran, Healthy Kilkenny Co-ordinator with Kilkenny County Council will discuss easy ways to add movement into everyday life – overview of UcanACT project which focuses on the built environment in terms of physical activity. One of the project outcomes aims to engage adult and senior citizens to participate in physical activity within public green spaces.
• Dr Patricia Sheehan, Lecturer and Active Exercise Oncology Researcher, Department of Sport and Exercise Science South East Technological University (SETU) will discuss the importance of physical activity for everyone across the cancer spectrum and an overview of the ExWell Programme which is delivered in community settings which is safe, supervised, supportive and really enjoyable because of the rich social interaction of group classes.
• There will also be a panel discussion at the end of the webinar for attendees to ask questions
  

Dr Emer Guinan, Associate Professor in Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Trinity College, Dublin and St James’s Hospital, says: “Being physically active doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or making big changes overnight. Small steps like walking more, breaking up long periods of sitting, or choosing activities you enjoy at home, work or in your community can make a real difference. The key is to start where you are, overcome barriers gradually, and choose safe, age-appropriate ways to move that fit into everyday life. The World Cancer Day webinar will provide.”

Janette Boran, Healthy Kilkenny Co-ordinator with Kilkenny County Council, says: “The UcanACT project highlights how physical activity in public spaces, particularly urban green spaces, can be woven into everyday life. By focusing on the built environment, the programme supports adults and older people to be more active in their local communities, ultimately helping to build healthier lifestyles.”

Dr Patricia Sheehan, Lecturer and Active Exercise Oncology Researcher, Department of Sport and Exercise Science South East Technological University (SETU) says: “Physical activity is a powerful, evidence-based tool across the entire cancer journey from prevention to survivorship. The ExWell programme delivers clinically supervised exercise in local communities, they help people regain fitness, independence and wellbeing in a way that is safe, supportive and genuinely enjoyable.”

Ways to reduce your risk of getting cancer