From 2000, on 4 February takes place the World Cancer Day to raise awareness in society on the impact of this disease and the prevention as the best way of avoiding it.
4 february 2016
The World Cancer Day of 2016 has as a motto ‘We can. I can’ and aims to continue the labour it has exercise during the last fifteen years to raise awareness in the society on the impact and the consequences of this disease. Through the whole day charitable events will take place all around the world to raise funds and transmit the idea that cancer can be cured and, specially, that it can be avoided.
It is demonstrated that the prevention and early detection are essential to stop this disease. The 60% of cases are found in Africa, Asia and Central and South America and they suppose the 70% of deaths at a global level due to the lack of early detection and the difficult access to treatments.
Cancer is based on the increase and uncontrolled dissemination of the cells and can appear in any part of the body. Cancer cells become stuck together and form a tumour, which causes metastasis in the organism. Recent studies indicate that many cancers could be prevented by avoiding the exposure to risk factors, such as the high pollution and the tobacco smoke. Nowadays, many cases can be cured with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy and they success, especially if they apply in an early phase of the development of the disease. You can know more about the development of the disease here.
The last report of the WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates the impact of cancer in 8,2 millions of new cases on 2012 and it is estimated that the number will reach 22 millions per year before 2030. This report also shows some very significant data, such as the most deadly cancers are lung, stomach, liver, colon and breast cancers, and that the most frequent cancers are different between men and women. It is also estimated in a 30% the deaths caused by a high body mass index, by a low intake of fruits and vegetables, by lack of physical activity and by consumption of tobacco and alcohol. This 30% of cases could be prevented with a healthy diet and with moderated physical activity; that is, a 30% of the world cancers at a global level can be avoided if people had a healthy lifestyle.
This is why February 4 is a key day to raise awareness in society of the danger it takes having an inactive lifestyle and the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. This day serves so that all society is aware of the importance of the prevention of cancer and also of the last advances to stop it once it has been detected.
