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World Cancer Day 2010
The theme for World Cancer Day 2010 is "Cancer Can Be Prevented Too"
On the 4th of February each year is dedicated as World Cancer Day. Cancer is a leading cause of death globally: an estimated 7.6
million people died of cancer in 2005 and 84 million people will die
between 2005 and 2015, if action is not taken. The World Health
Organization (WHO) has proposed a global goal of reducing chronic
disease death rates by 2% per annum from 2006 to 2015. Achievement
of this goal would avert over 8 million of the projected 84 million
deaths due to cancer in the next decade.
WHO is stepping up its response to meet this target. More than 70% of all
cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where
resources available for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
cancer are limited or nonexistent. Tobacco use alone accounts for
some 1.5 million cancer deaths per year.
WHO is actively responding to these rising levels of cancer. The low and middle-income countries bearing the brunt as
compared to the industrialized ones. If that’s not all, the burden of cancer is
estimated to double by 2020 and nearly triple by 2030. According to the
forecasted figures for 2030, there are likely to be 20-26 million fresh cancer
diagnoses and 13-17 million cancer related deaths. China, Russia, and India need
to watch out and tackle the growing burden of cancer, attributed mainly to
increase in use of tobacco, fatty diets, adoption of western habits, and
demographic changes. |
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Cancer can be prevented
It is possible to reduce the risks of cancer and move closer to prevention of
the disease. Cancer can be prevented with the following steps:-
• Banish Tobacco - Smoking or consuming tobacco in any form
• Adopt a healthy diet and regular exercise
• Reduce or completely avoid intake of alcohol
• Seek adequate protection against cancer-causing infections
The use of tobacco is linked
Cancer Risk
The use of tobacco is linked with a number of different cancers including lung
cancer. Tobacco also increases the risk of other types of cancers such as cancer
of the pancreas, mouth, throat, cervix, and bladder. Tobacco also triggers other
chronic respiratory diseases as well as cardiac disease. Smoking accounts for 90% of lung cancer cases.
Almost 4000 potentially toxic chemicals found in tobacco are inhaled into the
system due to smoking. The chemicals found in tobacco lower the body’s immunity
to fight infections. Tobacco gradually begins to harm the vital organs
in the body, especially the heart and the lungs.
Alcohol and Cancer Risk
The risk of cancer increases with alcohol consumption and the risk increases
commensurately with increase in intake of alcohol. The U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services in its "Report on Carcinogens” has for the first time listed
alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen. Scientists and researchers cannot overlook the strong link between even
reasonable alcohol drinking and an enhanced risk of certain cancers, more so
cancer of the liver and the breast. There is also evidence of cancers of the
esophagus, pharynx, and mouth, and colorectal cancers with intake of alcohol.
Diet and Exercise in Cancer Prevention
• Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes
• Avoid food that is heavy on fat and/or sugar
• Limit the intake of alcohol or better completely abstain from it
• Ensure regular physical activity |
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It is estimated that over
40% of all cancer can be prevented. However, dramatic increases in
risk factors such as tobacco use and obesity are contributing to the
rise in cancer rates, particularly in low- and middle-income
countries. A rapidly changing global environment due to
globalization of markets and urbanization is leading to rising
consumption of processed foods high in fats, sugars and salt, as
well as tobacco products; declining consumption of fruit and
vegetables; and more sedentary activity levels. As a consequence the
burden (incidence) of cancer and other chronic diseases is
increasing. Other preventable risk factors include many
environmental carcinogens and infections caused by Hepatitis B Virus
and Human Papilloma Virus.
WHO is taking significant measures to prevent cancer and other chronic
diseases. A key achievement has been the entry into force this past
year of the first-ever WHO global health treaty. The WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), is a major step towards
the goal of reducing tobacco use, which is the leading preventable
cause of cancer. To date, 121 countries have ratified the treaty.
To improve early detection, treatment and care of
cancer patients, WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
is providing the scientific evidence for cancer causes and
mechanisms of cancer development as well as developing strategies
for early detection of cancer. Moreover, WHO acts in partnership
with a range of major stakeholders in cancer control, including
other UN organizations such as the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), NGOs such as the International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
and many national cancer institutes. |
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