February 4th every year is an international event aims to fight cancer throughout the world. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), in collaboration with the World health Organization (WHO), has called on health ministries, individuals, organizations and governmental and non-governmental agencies around the world to unite in fighting the cancer. The campaign for years 2016-2018 is held under the theme "We Can. I Can".
Key Facts:
Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Around 14.1 million new cases have been diagnosed in 2012, and the cancers of lung, breast, colon, rectum, stomach, accounted for more than 40% of all diagnosed cases worldwide. The cancer is one of the main causes of deaths worldwide.
It is estimated that there were 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012, and more than half of the cancer deaths caused by the cancers of lung, stomach, liver, colon, rectal and breast (the most prevalent cancers in the Kingdom). More than 70% of cancer deaths happens in the low-income and middle-income countries, where little or no available resources for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Tobacco alone accounts for 1.5 million deaths out of the annual cancer deaths.
Statistics:
Globally: Around 14.1 million new cases of cancer have been diagnosed in 2012, and cancers of lung, breast, colorectal and stomach constitute more than 40% of all cases detected in all parts of the world. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 8.2 million deaths in 2012.
Locally:
- Breast cancer ranked first with 1,874 cases at a rate of 16.1%.
- Colorectal cancer, 1,387 cases, 11.9%.
- Thyroid cancer, 884 cases, 7.6%.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer, 746 cases, 604%.
- Leukemia cancer, 684 cases, 5.9%.
- Liver cancer, 495 cases, 4.3%.
- Lung cancer, 435 cases, 3.7%.
- Hodgkin lymphoma cancer, 393 cases, 3.4%.
- Stomach cancer, 316 cases, 2.7%.
- Kidney cancer, 313 cases, 2.7%.
Objectives of the World Cancer Day:
- Educating communities about cancer diseases and means to prevent them.
- Taking a positive attitude to combat cancer at the level of individuals, community, governments and international organizations.
- Emphasizing that solutions are possible and available, and we as individuals, government and governmental institutions and agencies can provide means of support, awareness and prevention of cancer.
- Harnessing efforts, capabilities and motivations for positive change and work to be open up to possibilities and expectations of positive impact on the global burden of cancer.
Official Date:
Globally: February 4th, 2017
Locally: Jumada al-Ula 7th, 1438H
Theme of the World Cancer Day
Targeted Groups:
- All segments of society.
- Patients and their families.
- Workers in the health field.
- Schools, institutes and universities.
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