New Delhi: Every year on February 4, people all over the globe celebrate World Cancer Day to increase awareness of the illness and ways to prevent it. Millions of people die from cancer each year, making it the world's biggest cause of death. The most vital parts of fighting cancer that can actually save lives are preventative measures, early detection, and timely testing.
History
Dr. Peter Harper, Professor David Khayat, Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi, and a group of oncologists met in Paris in 1999 to debate the best way to battle cancer. As a result, the World Summit Against Cancer was established to motivate cancer-fighting initiatives. Government representatives, oncologists, and other stakeholders attended the Summit that gave rise to the Paris Charter Against Cancer on February 4 of the following year.
In order to keep the Paris Charter relevant in everyone's thoughts each year, the charter designated February 4 as World Cancer Day.
The Paris Charter aims to advance cancer research, provide care for cancer patients, increase awareness, and mobilise the international community to take action against the disease.
Also read: Intensify action to strengthen health system to prevent cancer: Dr. Poonam
Significance
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes cancer as a broad class of disorders that can affect any organ in the body. It is characterised by aberrant cell proliferation that can infect nearby tissues and move to other body organs.
According to the WHO, lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer-related death in 2020, taking 1.80 million lives.
Cancer can be fatal, but many patients who are diagnosed early and receive the right care can be cured. Therefore, raising awareness of cancer prevention and control becomes essential.
Awareness
If cancer is identified early and treated effectively, many different types of cancer are curable. In actuality, avoiding risk factors and putting prevention techniques into practise can effectively prevent 30–50% of malignancies. All of this is brought up during World Cancer Day, which also emphasises the need to dispel myths and false information regarding the condition. Whatever it takes to reduce the gap, from inspiring neighbours to lend a fellow resident transportation to cancer treatment, to create a community with like-minded people who are aware of this serious illness.
Prevention
Making healthy decisions like maintaining a healthy weight, abstaining from cigarette use, consuming alcohol in moderation, and taking care of your skin can lower your risk of developing cancer.
- Avoid using tobacco
- Consume a lot of fruit and veggies
- Avoid alcohol and quit smoking
- Limit your consumption of processed meats
- Keep a healthy weight and engage in physical activity
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