CANCER CAN BE PREVENTED WORLD CANCER DAY – 4 February
THANK YOU for reading this information! Our aim is to help you understand how you can take steps to prevent cancer and live a healthier and longer life.
FILL YOUR LUNGS WITH FRESH AIR Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of cancer in the world today. It causes 80-90% of all lung cancer deaths, and about one third of all cancer deaths in developing countries, including cancer of the mouth, voice box, throat and stomach. Just breathe: you can prevent cancer by quitting smoking, chewing or sniffing tobacco. Try to avoid exposure to passive smoke to further reduce your risk and that of your loved ones.
Don´t be silly, drink in moderation Alcohol consumption increases the risk of mouth, throat, voice box, breast, bowel and liver cancer. The risk of these cancers increases in line with the quantity of alcohol consumed above 25g/day (roughly one glass of wine or one bottle of beer). Drinking one hundred grams of alcohol a day (roughly one bottle of wine or four bottles of beer) gives you a 4-6-fold increased risk of these cancers compared to light or non-drinkers. A toast to your health: limiting the amount of alcohol you drink is an effective cancer prevention measure.
GET ACTIVE, MOVE YOUR BODY Physical inactivity is estimated to be the main cause of around 25% of breast and colon cancer cases globally. However there is consistent evidence that participating in regular physical exercise reduces your risk. Do you like to walk? Great: only 30 minutes of physical activity per day is necessary to reduce your cancer risk. For school-aged children and teenagers at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity is recommended for noticeable health benefits.
Enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables every day Research shows the link between diet and the risk of certain types of cancer. Studies indicate that each daily portion (80-100 grams) of fruit or vegetables reduces the risk of mouth cancer by approximately 20%, and of stomach cancer by about 30%. High fibre intake (an average of 27g/day) is associated with a 20% lower risk of bowel cancer, whereas red and processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer. Additionally, a high intake of salt and salt-preserved foods increases the risk of stomach cancer. Yes, it’s true: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Avoiding saturated fats (e.g. butter, coconut and palm oil), sugary drinks, salty foods, red, processed, charred and fried meats is another big step towards preventing cancer. Enjoy a varied diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains in order to live a longer and healthier life.
SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE There is convincing evidence that being overweight or obese (with a body mass index above 25) increases the risk of developing cancers of the womb, kidney, oesophagus, stomach, colon, breast (in post-menopausal women), prostate, gallbladder and pancreas. Make friends with your scales: maintaining a healthy weight through physical activity and a healthy diet may reduce your risk of cancer.
Love your skin Small amounts of sunlight are essential for our bodies to produce vitamin D, yet excessive exposure to the sun or artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation such as sun beds increases the risk of all types of skin cancer. Enjoy the sun without getting roasted: stop using sun beds and avoid excessive sun exposure. Remember to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing as an effective cancer prevention measure.
Immunisation: SMALL EFFORT - BIG EFFECT While cancer is not infectious there are a number of infections that either directly cause cancer, or increase the risk of cancer. In fact almost 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialised countries are caused by chronic infections. For example hepatitis B and C are known to cause cancer of the liver, human papillomavirus is linked to cervical cancer and helicobacter pylori bacteria increases the risk of stomach cancer. Please take care: interventions such as immunisation, treatment of infections and being aware and educated about your personal health, can greatly reduce your exposure to specific risk factors.
DID YOU KNOW THAT ... Each year, over 12.7 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million people die from the disease. If no action is taken, the global cancer burden is expected to reach 26 million new cases and 17 million deaths by the year 2030, with the most rapid increases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. However, it’s not all bad news as 30 – 40 % of cancers can be prevented, and one-third of cancers can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment. Your risk can be significantly reduced through simple measures: Stopping tobacco use and avoiding exposure to passive smoke Limiting alcohol consumption Avoiding excessive sun exposure Regular physical activity Eating healthily Maintaining a healthy weight Protecting against cancer-causing infections
World Cancer Day is celebrated every year on 4 February. It is led by UICC and its member organisations with the support of the World Health Organization. The global campaign aims to raise awareness about cancer prevention and control on a global scale.
visit www.worldcancerday.org to get involved
Take Action – Sign the World Cancer Declaration Cancer kills more people than AIDS, malaria and TB combined and without significant improvements – preventable and curable cancers will continue to kill millions of people worldwide. But you can make a difference! By signing the Declaration you join a worldwide community calling on key decision makers to reduce the global cancer burden. Together we are stronger – please sign the Declaration at:
www.uicc.org/declaration
About the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) UICC is the leading NGO dedicated to the global prevention and control of cancer. It unites over 400 member organisations in more than 120 countries in the fight to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations. For more information visit:
www.uicc.org