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Posted on March 1, 2016 by admin

Article credit: http://www.worldcancerday.org/sites/wcd/files/atoms/files/WCD2016_CampaignToolkit_EN_Screen.pdf

World Cancer Day

February 4th is World Cancer Day, when organizations and individuals around the world unite to raise awareness about cancer and work to make it a global health priority. Every year more than 8 million people die from cancer worldwide. This year, and through 2018, the theme of World Cancer Day is “We can. I can,”to explore how everyone – together and individually – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.

I can

  • Make healthy lifestyle choices that include avoiding tobacco, getting plenty of physical activity, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, and staying safe in the sun.
  • Learn about signs and symptoms of cancer and early detection guidelines because finding cancer early often makes it easier to treat.
  • Support cancer patients and survivors with the physical and emotional impacts of cancer even after treatment ends.
  • Share stories about their own cancer experiences, communicate with decision-makers, and join support groups to help make positive change for all people affected by cancer.
  • When possible, return to work after cancer treatment to restore normality, routine, stability, social contact, and income.

 

 We can

  • Call on governments to commit adequate resources to reduce cancer deaths and provide a better quality of life for patients and survivors.
  • Educate people about the link between lifestyle behaviors – including smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity – and cancer risk.
  • Dispel myths that lead to stigma and discrimination against people with cancer in some communities.
  • Encourage schools and workplaces to implement nutrition and physical activity policies that can help people to adopt healthy habits for life.
  • Improve access to affordable cancer health care for all populations.

 

PREVENT CANCER

Changes in the way we live means that more and more people around the world are exposed to cancer risk factors like smoking, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles.
Smoking is still the biggest cancer risk factor. Tobacco use accounts for five million deaths every year, or 22% of all cancer deaths. Reducing the rates of tobacco use will signifcantly decrease the global burden of a large number of cancers, including the lung, oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, cervix and stomach, and acute myeloid leukaemia.
Alcohol use has also been linked to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast.The rising levels of obesity are of concerning many countries around the world. Overweight and obesity are strongly linked with an increased risk of bowel, breast, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, oesophagus, kidney, and gallbladder cancers later in life. Yet, about a third of common cancers can be prevented through a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active. Specifically, the World Cancer Research Fund International estimates that for the 13 most common cancers, about 31% of cases in the United States are preventable through a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
A THREE YEAR CAMPAIGN FOR CONTINUED IMPACT
Taking place under the tagline ‘We can. I can.’, World Cancer Day 2016-2018 will explore how everyone – together or individually – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.
Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, everyone has the power to take action to reduce the impact of the disease on individuals, families and communities.

World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, to make a pledge and to take action. Whatever you choose to do, ‘We can. I can.’ make a difference in the fight against cancer.

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