Today, February 4, is World Cancer Day. The PMH Cancer Program at UHN is once again adding our collective voice to support this internationally recognized day.
Every year, cancer kills 7.6 million people around the world—equivalent to the entire population of Switzerland. Millions of cancer deaths worldwide could be avoided through proven prevention, early detection and treatment approaches. If no action is taken, the worldwide cancer burden is expected to reach 26 million new diagnoses and 17 million deaths by the year 2030.
It's not all bad news—30-40% of cancers can be prevented and one-third can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.
What can you do to reduce your risk of cancer?
- Eat a varied and healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercising regularly
- Limit alcohol intake
- Stop tobacco use and avoiding exposure to passive smoke
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Protect yourself against cancer-causing infections
The awareness campaign is organized by the Geneva-based Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), an NGO with 384 member organizations from 121 countries around the world dedicated exclusively to the control of cancer. UHN has had a long association with the UICC, which is truly international in scope and reach, and resolutely focused on the significant global issues of cancer control.
To learn more about World Cancer Day visit www.worldcancerday.org.
What else can you do?
Add your own voice of support by signing the World Cancer Declaration which is a call to action to substantially reduce the global cancer burden by 2020.
Show your support at http://www.uicc.org/declaration/sign-world-cancer-declaration
