World Cancer Day
Today, February 4, is marked World Cancer Day. Its slogan “I am and I Will”
“World Cancer Day, held every 4 February, is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). By raising worldwide awareness, improving education, and catalyzing personal, collective, and government action, we are all working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all - no matter who you are or where you live” (Cancer Research Institute).
Did you know an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases will be detected in 2021? According to the American Cancer Society, that includes 187,140 from California. It is staggering and heart-wrenching to see the numbers each year.
It is important to remember and continue to fight against Cancer through research and awareness. While some cancers are genetic, there are types that can be avoidable through proper health upkeep, vaccinations, lifestyle changes, etc. The American Cancer Society states that “Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, at least 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the US – about 797,000 cases in 2021 – are potentially avoidable, including the 19% of cancers caused by smoking and at least 18% caused by a combination of excess body weight, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. Certain cancers caused by infectious agents, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), could be prevented through behavioral changes or vaccination to avoid the infection, or by treating the infection. Many of the more than 5 million skin cancers diagnosed annually could be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and not using indoor tanning devices.”
Cancer is not something to take lightly. I have lost friends and family to Cancer. A few are still battling it. Today I honor World Cancer Day to bring awareness to my community. This awareness day’s goal is to advocate and support to help bring positive change. It is the hope and dream to someday have a cancer-free world.
Have you lost anyone to Cancer? Are there those you know still fighting the battle? Help support and create change.
Check out the website to find out how you can get involved and make a difference.
Sources
Photo Credits
"World Cancer Day commemoration, 4 Feb 2017" by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Cancer Research Institute
Photo Credit: American Cancer Society
Photo Credit: "MIF-Induced Mesenchymal Marker in Pancreatic Cancer" by National Institutes of Health (NIH) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0