World Cancer Day 2012

The World Cancer Day is observed on the fourth of February every year to increase awareness against cancer.

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.

Quiz on Cancer
Cancer, is the second most leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Take this quiz on and test how much you know about 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.

World Cancer Death Clock
World Cancer Death Clock is a dynamic calculator that constantly updates the number of people in the world dying due to various cancers.

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:

Cancer Key Facts and Statistics
Cancer is an abnormal cell growth and it can destroy other body tissues. 1 in 6 deaths that occur in the world is due to cancer. Here are some key facts and statistics about cancer

• 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.

World Cancer Day 2011
The motto for World Cancer Day on Feb 4 2011 is Teaching Children and Teenagers to limit their sun exposure by being SunSmart!

• 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 - https://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