“Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”

– John Diamond

What is it?

The 4th of every February is observed as World Cancer Day around the globe. An initiative that unites us all in a fight against cancer, it was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration written in 2008.

A recent global study claims that 8.2 million people die from cancer every year. Its findings further conclude that approximately 4 million out of those 8.2 million deaths happen prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years). The study also suggests that, by the year 2030, cancer deaths could rise to 13.1 million worldwide. To bring these number down, we need to collectively examine cancer control strategies to not only ensure that fewer people develop cancer, but also to make sure that more and more people are successfully treated and that there is a better quality of life for people during treatment and beyond.

The global theme for World Cancer Day 2016-2018 is ‘WE CAN. I CAN’. The tagline defines how each one of us can make an effort to trim down the burden of cancer worldwide. Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death; that’s how we propose to fight it. Each year on this particular day, various social and governmental groups organise health camps and cancer awareness programmes to educate citizens about cancer, and to take action against the widespread disease.

Cancer Myths

To effectively target misinformation, raise awareness and reduce stigma, we first need to unlearn the most common and prevalent myths about cancer.

● “There are no signs or symptoms of cancer.”
In reality, many cancers have warning signs and symptoms. Early stage cancers are most treatable, which is why early detection is critical.

● “There is nothing we can do about cancer.”
One-third of the most common cancers can be prevented. If we want, we all can make choices to reduce the prevailing cancer risk, such as not smoking, avoiding alcohol and switching to a healthy lifestyle.

● “We don’t need to talk about cancer.”
Many cancer patients experience discrimination that prevents them for getting the care they need. Talking about it can bring people new information, such as treatment options and how to deal with side effects. It can help ease feelings of fear, anger, sadness, loneliness and anxiety.

What can we do?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! It is wiser to avoid a disease by following a healthy regimen of life, than to contract it and then seek remedies. Let’s stand for the motion for healthy lifestyles, balanced diet, regular physical activity and weight management, and against the motion for alcoholism, smoking, untimely and unhealthy diet and physical immobility.

World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, and what you should. It is an ideal opportunity to spread the word and raise the visibility of cancer both in people’s minds and in the world’s media. Start by making a pledge and taking action to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families and communities.

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