It gives me great pleasure to join the rest of the world today, 4 February 2011, in observing World Cancer Day under the theme "Cancer can be prevented”.
This year’s theme which focuses on preventive measures helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it.
Among the many risk factors causing cancer are: heredity, lifestyle, mainly the use of tobacco; unhealthy diet; exposure to ultraviolet radiation; the presence of harmful chemicals such as pesticides and asbestos in the working and general environments, and chronic infections.
In fighting the disease, cancer survivors face enormous trauma and mental agony. The global observance of the World Cancer Day helps cancer patients to build resilience and hope. On this day, we should be united in the fight against cancer which has emerged as a serious public health concern over the past decades.
This year’s observance of World Cancer Day coincides with the upcoming UN High Level Summit on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2011 when the United Nations will, for the first time, hold a summit which specifically focuses on NCDs.
The burden of cancer in Africa is huge and is increasing. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2008, there were 681 000 new cases of cancer in Africa, and 512 000 people died of the disease. It is projected that, should the current trend continue, then that by 2030, these figures will rise to 1.6 million new cases with 1.2 million deaths. This trend is mainly related to rapid urbanization, unhealthy work environments, and the use of child labour which increases exposure to cancer-causing factors. The situation is made worse by the high number of infection-related cancers among HIV/AIDS patients and the high costs of modern treatment of cancer which most African patients cannot afford.
Urgent action therefore needs to be taken against cancer, one of the silent killers posing a threat to social development and economic progress.
The cancer epidemic in Africa is escalating, but the trend can be reversed if governments, communities and partners join efforts to increase knowledge about the disease and reduce its risk factors by using prevention and early detection approaches. Good knowledge of cancer prevention will help to reduce contact with cancer-causing agents in the home and in the workplace; increase protection against harmful UV rays; foster healthy eating habits and regular exercise and; contribute to the prevention of infections.
Cancer can also be combated through educating individuals, particularly children and teenagers, and by screening for the most prevalent forms of cancer. Among these are cancers of the breast, the cervix and the uterus as well as prostate, digestive tract and work-related cancers. These measures will reduce the current situation whereby cases are reported late and treatment is less effective and more expensive, with patients experiencing intense pain.
WHO remains committed to supporting governments and working collaboratively with international and national partners to promote policies and interventions that protect individuals and communities from cancer.
I therefore call upon governments, international agencies and partners to imbibe and apply cost-effective interventions at individual and community levels with a view to addressing preventable cancers. Actions recommended include embarking on methodical awareness campaigns; spreading the word diligently; sensitizing people to the importance of healthy diet and exercise; building capacity for cancer detection, prevention and treatment; implementing and scaling up early detection interventions, and providing adequate treatment including paying attention to patients’ wellbeing and spiritual support.
All members of society should protect their own health by preventing cancer, seeking the right information on cancer risk factors, avoiding occupational and environmental hazards, and taking part in decisions-making on all issues that affect their health and that of their families.
Thank you.