#WorldCancerDay: Find Out How You Can Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices To Reduce The Risks of Cancer

We can, I can get involved in the fight against cancer.

You may not know anyone who is battling or has battled with cancer but cancer is real and is affecting people all over the world. Currently more than 8 million people die annually from cancer worldwide, 4 million (aged 30 to 69 years) die prematurely.

The #WorldCancerDay is a day marked internationally every 4^th of February to raise awareness and to encourage the prevention, early detection, treatment and care of cancer. It is also a day to urge the government, capable individuals and organizations to contribute to cancer control so millions of preventable deaths can be avoided every year.

The theme for this year’s campaign is #WeCanICan. It emphasizes that to achieve a world free of cancer, everybody (collective and individual) has a part to play in tackling the global issue of cancer.

Cancer is a disease that starts in the body when cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. It can start from any part of the body making it hard for the body to function the way it should.

Here are ways you can make healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of cancer:

 “Everyone can take steps to reduce their risk of cancer by choosing healthy options such as quitting smoking, keeping physically active and choosing healthy food and drinks. Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of cancer globally. Quitting smoking will have a major positive impact on an individual’s health and that of their families and friends. The good news is that quitting at any age is beneficial, increasing life expectancy and improving quality of life.

Individuals can also reduce their risk of many common cancers by maintaining a healthy weight, and making physical activity part of their everyday lives. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of ten cancers - bowel, breast, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, oesophagus, kidney, liver, advanced prostate and gallbladder cancers.

Specific changes to a person’s diet can also make a difference – for example, individuals can limit their intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.

Alcohol is also strongly linked with an increased risk of several cancers. Reducing alcohol consumption decreases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast.

Reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and other sources, such as solarium, is also important to reduce the risk of many skin cancers.

Overall, more than a third of common cancers could be prevented by a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight”.

Credit: worldcancerday.org

Cancer can be well treated especially after early detection. More people than ever before now live full lives after cancer treatment.

Spread the word in your community and on social media. You can also get involved by sharing this post. Join the #WorldCancerDayCampaign.

The #WorldCancerDay is an initiative of the UICC (Union for International Cancer Control).

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