A number of free courses  have been developed by Royal colleges and Cancer charities to support primary care professionals in having these, sometimes difficult, conversations with patients.

World Cancer Research Fund

Cancer Prevention

Course description: Covering information about lifestyle and cancer prevention, this course teaches the primary care staff  about how lifestyle affects cancer risk whilst also providing useful and practical tips in talking about cancer prevention. Accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health.

Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)

Behavioural Change and Cancer Prevention

Aimed at: All primary care staff, including GPs, Nurses, Dentists, Pharmacists, Practice and Pharmacy Staff, Social Prescribers.

Course description: Developed in partnership with Cancer Research UK, this course  highlights the links between cancer and smoking, obesity and alcohol and describes the evidence for Very Brief Advice (VBA) on behaviour changes to reduce cancer risk.

Essentials of Smoking Cessation

Aimed at: All primary care staff, including GPs, Nurses, Dentists, Pharmacists, Practice and Pharmacy Staff, Social Prescribers

Course description: This module informs members of primary care teams about the basics of smoking cessation and can be used to support those who prescribe outsourced smoking cessation services or who provide smoking cessation services within their practice.

Cervical Screening Update

Course description: This update is for primary care and other professionals caring for women undergoing cervical screening. It will serve as a useful introduction and refresher on the topic, to build on the locally-based practical training and assessment advised for all NHS cervical screening sample takers.

Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK offers a wide range of training and education resources for Healthcare Professionals to build their understanding of cancer, from diagnosis to management and treatment.

British Medical Journal

The Health Benefits of Physical Activity: Cancer

Aimed at: GPs, GP trainees, Foundation doctors, Practice nurses

Course description: This training module covers the importance and effectiveness of physical exercise as a preventer of cancer, as well as being an essential part of its treatment. Plus how to recommend it to patients with cancer.