Create a future without cancer. The time to act is NOW.
World Cancer Day is an international day observed on February 4th to raise cancer awareness and support cancer prevention. Cancer is a disease in which some cells in the body proliferate uncontrollably and spread to other places of the body. Mutations or cell DNA alterations are the primary cause of cancer. Genetic mutations can be passed down through families. They can also arise after birth due to environmental factors.
Cancer is the top cause of death worldwide, accounting for approximately one crore fatalities in 2020. In India, the incidence rate was expected to be between 19 and 20 lakh cases in 2022. Tobacco use, extended alcohol intake, bad eating habits, a lack of physical activity, and exposure to air pollution are all risk factors for cancer.
Cancer can be prevented and controlled by applying evidence-based cancer prevention, screening, and early detection measures, as well as therapy and palliative care. The following are the most prevalent modifiable risk factors for cancer, which are shared by many other non-communicable diseases:
Tobacco use
Low fruit and vegetable intake
Harmful use of alcohol
Lack of physical activity
Reduced prevalence of established risk factors could prevent one-third to one-half of cancer cases. Tobacco control and HPV vaccination are two examples of actionable interventions. The most effective primary cancer prevention relies on whole-of-government programs that combine legislation, regulation, and budgetary policies with initiatives to modify community and individual behavior. Evidence on individual risk factors should be presented in public health messages and health promotion.
The theme for the years 2022-2024 is ‘Close the care gap’. The focus in 2022 was 'Realizing the problem.' This year, for World Cancer Day 2023, the theme is 'Uniting our voices and taking action,' which will be followed by, '2024: Together, we challenge those in power,' thus concluding the three-year campaign.
However, as this year's theme emphasizes, 'Uniting our voices and taking action' is what we are still lacking. There is not enough noise because our voices are not united. A larger issue is that there has been a considerable lack of action. Even when people notice symptoms, they are hesitant to visit a doctor for a check-up, and the problem is especially prevalent in men. Tobacco-related cancer and breast cancer are two of the most serious risks at the present, yet the lack of action to even diagnose cancer is deplorable.
Half of the world's population lacks access to all critical health treatments. Many of us are refused basic cancer care, despite the fact that we live in an era of incredible advances in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. This is the equity gap, and it is killing people.
Cancer patients face obstacles at every turn. Income, education, geographic location, and prejudice based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and lifestyle are a few of the characteristics that might have a detrimental impact on care.
The most vulnerable people are also more likely to be exposed to a variety of additional risk factors, such as tobacco, a bad diet, or environmental risks. Everyone is affected by the disparity. You may believe that the equity gap does not affect you directly, but it most likely does.
While it’s more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, well-resourced countries show dramatic disparities too. It’s almost guaranteed that the gap affects you or people in your community. We can close the gap.
The reality today is that who you are and where you live could mean the difference between life and death. It is not fair. But we can change this.
People interested in learning more about the deadly disease can enroll in our Cancer Genomics course for just INR 299.