World Cancer Day 2012
World Cancer Day is a global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it. This event is held on February 4 each year.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for 7.6 million deaths (around 13% of all deaths) in 2008. The main types of cancer are:
- Lung (1.4 million deaths)
- Stomach (740 000 deaths)
- Liver (700 000 deaths)
- Colorectal (610 000 deaths)
- Breast (460 000 deaths).
About 70% of all cancer deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue to rise to over 11 million in 2030.
More than 30% of cancer could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors, including:
- Tobacco use
- Being overweight or obese
- Low fruit and vegetable intake
- Lack of physical activity
- Alcohol use
- Sexually transmitted HPV-infection
- Urban air pollution
- Indoor smoke from household use of solid fuels.