Critically appraise the primary and secondary prevention (health promotion) elements of the NHS cancer plan. Include in your discussion how well these elements relate to known effective strategies for primary and secondary prevention of cancers and how they will contribute to a reduction in inequalities in health.

Statistical evidence clearly demonstrates that individuals from less affluent backgrounds  are over-represented in those who develop some types of cancer at some point in their lives and more likely to die from cancer following diagnosis. (Cancer Research UK, 2003). In the 1990s it was found that 17 professional men out of 100,000 would die of lung cancer, while the rate was 82 per 100,000 for unskilled workers (NHS Cancer Plan, 2000). There are a variety  of complex reasons for these inequalities. Genetic factors may have some part in explaining ethnic variations in incidence of cancers, yet different levels of exposure to key risk factors for cancer  notably healthcare, smoking, exercise, diet, air quality and housing condition  are very probably pivotal….(short extract)