The word ‘Cancer’ still sends shivers down the spine. Despite many new treatments, many people especially in the late stages continue to succumb to cancer.  According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), 7.6 million people the world over died of cancer in the year 2008. Most of these deaths occurred in the low and medium-income countries.  The deaths from cancer continue to rise, and if nothing is done about it, is likely to reach a number of 12 million deaths in 2030.  What is even sadder is that a number of these deaths could have been prevented if there were adequate awareness and implementation of preventive measures like screening and treating conditions that result in cancer.

The World Cancer Day will be observed on February 4, 2012.  The day is observed to increase global awareness regarding cancer and to encourage people to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer early.  It also puts pressure on various governments to make policies and to fight against cancer. 

The World Cancer Day was first organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2005 and is observed on the fourth of February every year.  The UICC constitutes of more than 460 cancer-fighting organizations spread over 120 countries, which include cancer societies, ministries of health, research institutes, treatment centers and patient groups. The UICC organizes the World Cancer Day every year in collaboration with its partners like World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The World Cancer Day is a day when the entire world gets together in its fight against cancer. The day sees attempts toward increased awareness regarding cancer through the media, distribution of information leaflets and other nationwide campaigns, and meetings to raise funds to fight against cancer.

The World Cancer Day this year falls almost 6 months after the first UN High-level Meeting on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the signing of the Political Declaration supporting prevention and control of devastating conditions, including cancer.  Thus, the day will act as a reminder to the world leaders to stick to their commitment made in the UN summit and fight against cancer.

The theme of the World Cancer Day 2012 is ‘Together it is possible.’ This means that each of us along with various organizations as well as the government should do whatever we can to prevent cancer deaths.

There are multiple simple ways in which you could raise the awareness about cancer.  These include:

• Increase awareness via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.  In fact, Facebook will be launching a special application on World Cancer Day – you could share it with your friends.

• If you intend to organize a fund-raising or awareness event, don’t forget to register it on the World Cancer Day website.

• You could share the cancer Infographics, World Cancer Declaration and other information available at the World Cancer Day website with your friends.

• Medindia too offers a few cancer news widget that you can download for your website – follow this link - http://www.medindia.net/free-downloads/medindia-widgets/health-news-widget.asp

A few preventive measures, early diagnosis and treatment can go a long way in preventing cancer deaths.

Reference:

http://www.worldcancerday.org/
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-cancer-day

Source-Medindia