World Cancer Day

 World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.

Globally, there were an estimated 20 million new cases of cancer and 10 million deaths from cancer. the cancer burden will increase by approximately 60% over the next two decades, further straining health systems, people and communities. The predicted global burden will increase to about 30 million new cancer cases by 2040, with the greatest increases occuring in low- and middle-income countries.

Cancer can be prevented and controlled by implementing evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment and palliative care. The most common modifiable risk factors for cancer, which are shared with many other noncommunicable diseases, are:

1) Tobacco use

2) Low fruit and vegetable intake

3) Harmful use of alcohol

4) Lack of physical activity

Some specific risk factors for cancer include chronic infections from human papilloma virus (HPV) -for cervical cancer-, hepatitis B and C - for liver cancer-, and H.pylori -for stomach cancer.

One third to one half of cancer cases could be prevented by reducing the prevalence of known risk factors. Examples of actionable interventions are tobacco control and HPV vaccination. The most effective primary prevention of cancer is based on whole-of-government approaches, with legislation, regulation and fiscal policies combined with activities to change community and individual behaviour. Public health messages and health promotion should present evidence on specific risk factors.

Created in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of the greatest problems in history. each year hundreds of activities and events take place around the world gathering communities, organisations, and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, markets, parks, in streets and online acting as a powerful reminder that we can help to reduce the impact of cancer. 

This year's theme is 'I Am and I Will' is all about the commitment to act. It's a day where organisations take positive actions together with other organisations to reduce the number of premature deaths from cancer and incommunicable diseases.