Cancer can be prevented too
Tobacco use and passive smoke
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.
Stopping tobacco use (smoking, chewing and sniffing) and avoiding exposure to passive smoke are effective cancer prevention measures.
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box, breast, bowel and liver. The risk of cancers of the upper digestive system increases in line with the quantity of alcohol consumed above 25g/day (roughly 2.5 dl of wine or 5 dl of beer). One hundred grams a day of alcohol (roughly 1 ltr of wine or 2 ltr of beer) has a 4-6-fold increased risk of these cancers compared to light
or non-drinkers.
Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink is an effective.
Physical activity
Physical inactivity is estimated to be the main cause of around 25% of breast cancer and colon cancer cases globally. However there is consistent evidence that taking regular physical activity reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer. These beneficial effects occur independent of bodyweight.
For adults at least 30 minutes of moderately-intense physical activity 5 days per week reduces the risk of these cancers. For school-aged youth at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorously-intense physical activity each day is recommended for health benefits.
Healthy diet
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 (on 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 and a high intake of salt and salt-preserved foods increases the risk of stomach cancer.
Limiting consumption of energy-dense foods, saturated fats (e.g. butter, coconut and palm oil), sugary drinks, salty foods, red and processed, black-roasted and fried meats and enjoying a varied and healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains may reduce the risk of these cancers.
Healthy weight
There is convincing evidence that being overweight or obese (with a body mass index above 25 and 30) increases the risk of developing cancers of the womb, kidney, oesophagus, stomach, colon, breast (in post-menopausal women), prostate, gallbladder and pancreas.
Maintaining a healthy weight through appropriate physical activity and a healthy diet may reduce the risk of cancer.
Sun exposure
Small amounts of sunlight are essential for our bodies to Produce vitamin D, yet excessive exposure to natural sun or artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation such as sunbeds increases the risk of all types of skin cancer.
Stopping use of sun beds and avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight, use of sunscreen and protective clothing are effective cancer prevention measures.
Infections
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 industrialized countries are caused by chronic infections such as with the hepatitis B or C virus (which cause cancer of the liver), human papillomavirus (which causes cervical cancer) and helicobacter pylori bacteria (which increases the risk of stomach cancer).
Interventions such as immunization, treatment of infections and behavior change can reduce exposure to specific risk factors and are effective cancer prevention measures.
Globally, cancer accounts for one in eight of all deaths – more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
Each year, over 12 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million die of the disease. If no action is taken, the worldwide cancer burden is expected to reach 26 million new diagnoses and 17 million deaths by the year 2030, with the most rapid increases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The good news is that experts estimate that 40% of cancers can be prevented.
The risk of you or your family developing cancer 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
“Cancer can be prevented too” is a global campaign launched on World Cancer Day by the International Union against Cancer (UICC) to increase public awareness on the prevention of cancer and how a number of simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer later in life.
Celebrated every year on February 4th, World Cancer Day is led by UICC and its member organizations with the support of the World Health Organization and key partners.
Support World Cancer Day - February 4th 2010.
Visit www.uicc.org
Free information and resources
The “Cancer can be prevented too” campaign is backed by free informative material, including a series of comprehensive UICC expert reports, fact sheets, and many more online resources and contacts.
About the International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
UICC is the leading international NGO dedicated to the global prevention and control of cancer. It unites over 300 member organizations in more than 100 countries in the fight to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations through the implementation of the World Cancer Declaration.