EU offers 11 tips to public in bid to help cut cancer deaths by 2015

THE European Union, with its never-ending surveys and attempts to improve the lot of ordinary citizens, appears to run on unlimited reserves of earnest optimism that can give rise to some fairly out-there ideas.

Yesterday, however, saw the release of a document that is as pragmatic as it is practical: 11 ways to prevent cancer. The new European "Code against Cancer" offers the 11 tips for the public, which experts say will help the EU achieve its target of cutting cancer deaths by one-fifth by 2015.

"This is a set of concise and easy-to-remember recommendations written in simple language and backed up by solid scientific evidence," said the EU Commissioner in charge of health and consumer protection, David Byrne.