World Cancer Day | World Cancer Day 2010 | World Cancer Day Today | Today World Cancer Day | World Cancer Day 2010

World Cancer Day | World Cancer Day 2010 | World Cancer Day Today | Today World Cancer Day | World Cancer Day 2010 | UICC | Today World Cancer Day 2010

World Cancer Day is marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. It is led by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), a global consortium of more than 280 cancer-fighting organizations in over 90 countries. World Cancer Day targets the public through global communications marking, and encourages policy makers and UICC member organizations to make cancer a political priority.

History of World Cancer Day:

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) initiated the World Cancer Campaign in 2005 in response to the Charter of Paris of 2000.

The Charter of Paris chose 4th February as World Cancer Day. Since 2006, UICC has coordinated World Cancer Day activities, supported by members, partners, the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other international bodies.

The campaign emphasizes that 43% of cancers can be prevented through these healthy behaviors:

* Provide a smoke-free environment for children
* Be physically active, eat a balanced, healthy diet, and avoid obesity
* Learn about vaccines for virus-related liver and cervical cancers
* Avoid over-exposure to the sun

From 2008 to 2011, each year will focus on a different issue:

* 2008 – give children and young people a smoke-free environment
* 2009 – encourage an energy-balanced lifestyle based on healthy diet and physical activity
* 2010 – learn about vaccines against viruses that cause cancers (e.g. HBV vaccines)
* 2011 – teach children and teenagers to avoid UV exposure by being “sun smart”

This year’s theme, “Cancer can be prevented too”, focuses on simple measures to prevent cancer such as:

* no tobacco use
* a healthy diet and regular exercise
* limited alcohol use
* protection against cancer-causing infections.