Unite in the fight against global cancer epidemic: UICC

04 February, 2013

World Cancer Day (WCD) is being observed globally today, on February 4, to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. It was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 1933 to reduce death and illness caused by cancer significantly by 2020. On the occasion of WCD-2013, the UICC has issued a call to the entire world to unite in the fight against the global cancer epidemic.

According the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounts for about 13% of all deaths every year. In its fight against cancer, WHO supports UICC to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer and raising quality of life for cancer patients.

“Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding exposure to common risk factors, such as tobacco smoke. In addition, a significant proportion of cancers can be cured by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, especially if they are detected early,” informs WHO.

According to the medical science, with early detection and proper treatment, cancer can now be cured and with the right kind of life-style strategies, at least 30% of cancer cases can be prevented.

WHO studies have found that dietary factors for causing cancer account for, at least, 30 per cent of all cancers in western countries and up to 20 per cent in developing countries. Also, non-veg processed food items have been strongly linked with bowel cancer. Some other independent research studies also suggest that vegetarian food enhances health, while meat and dairy products have almost the same risks as cigarette smoking leading to cancer.