World Cancer Day
A Global Concern
Research suggests that one-third of cancer deaths can be avoided through prevention. Although proven ways to prevent cancer exist, these services and technologies are not widely available in low- and middle-income countries.
At the United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases in September 2011, leaders from more than 120 countries declared non-communicable diseases, including cancer, a global priority and committed to taking action to address them. The WHO has since taken the lead in developing a global monitoring framework
You Can Reduce Your Risk for Cancer
The number of new cancer cases can be reduced, and many cancer deaths can be prevented. Research shows that screening for cervical and colorectal (colon) cancers as recommended helps prevent these diseases by finding precancerous lesions so they can be treated before they become cancerous. Screening for cervical, colorectal, and breast cancers also helps find these diseases at an early, often highly treatable stage.A person's cancer risk can be reduced by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, avoiding excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active.
Vaccines also help reduce cancer risk. The HPV vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and many vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers, and the hepatitis B vaccine can help reduce liver cancer risk.
Cancer Prevention Starts in Childhood
- Most skin cancers can be prevented if children and teens (and adults, too) are protected from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don't have to be at the beach to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful UV rays whenever they're outdoors.
- HPV, a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex, is the main cause of cervical cancer. It also causes many vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. A vaccine to prevent HPV infections is recommended routinely for 11- and 12-year-old girls and boys. The vaccine also is recommended for girls and women aged 13 through 26 years and boys and men aged 13 through 21 years who did not get any or all of the shots before. The vaccine can be given beginning at age 9.
- The best way to prevent lung cancer is to not start smoking, or quit if you do smoke. In 2009, one in five high school students was a current smoker. Smoke from other people's cigarettes ("secondhand" smoke) also can cause lung cancer. Talk to your children about why you don't want them to smoke, and don't expose them to secondhand smoke.
More Information
- World Cancer Day
- World Health Organization Cancer Fact Sheet
- World Cancer Facts
- Less Developed Regions Cancer Facts
- Global Breast Cancer Facts
- Global Cervical Cancer Facts
- Global Colorectal Cancer Facts
- Global Lung Cancer Facts
- Global Prostate Cancer Facts
- WHO Comprehensive Global Monitoring Framework for Non-Communicable Diseases
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