The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family while creating lasting memories, for children and aging parents alike. There are always the usual stresses that arise this time of year, like making sure gifts are bought, meals are sorted, and activities are planned to keep everyone happy. However, […]
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is a disease that touches everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or economic status. According to the National Cancer Institute, 39% of us will be diagnosed with Cancer at some point in our lives. World Cancer Day is held annually on February 4th, as a reminder to all of us that there are things we can do to help defeat this devastating disease.
World Cancer Day is a partnership between the World Health Organization and several international Cancer research and awareness organization, including International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The theme for this year is, ‘We can. I can.’, and is meant to encourage everyone to think about how they can get involved.
According to the United Nations, Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue rising, with an estimated 13.1 million deaths in 2030. So what can you do to help defeat cancer once and for all?
Start with yourself: There are no guarantees in life, but by avoiding common risk factors like smoking, excessive drinking and keeping yourself healthy generally, including exercising and keeping a healthy diet, you can help reduce your risk of developing cancer.
See your doctor: In addition to making healthy choices in your daily life, it’s important to continue to have regular check ups with your doctor, and alert them immediately to any pain or changes in your body. Even if you are diagnosed with cancer, the treatments have advanced now to the point where 66% of people are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed. Every person, and case is different, but your best chance for survival is early detection
Donate or Raise Money: There are many organizations in the U.S. and around the world that are developing groundbreaking treatments and supporting those suffering from Cancer and their families. Supporting one of these initiatives on World Cancer Day is a great way to get involved. You can also contribute directly to World Cancer Day to help fund their proposed initiatives.
Raise Awareness: Help spread the world about World Cancer Day by telling a friend, sending a link, or sharing a photo on social media. Use the hashtag #WeCanICan to add your voice to the conversation.
Help Someone: It could be something as simple as visiting someone in the hospitable, or volunteering to drive people to their appointment for treatment. You could brighten someone’s day with very little effort or expense on your part.
These are just a few of the ways to get involved and make a difference to help honor World Cancer Day, and to help combat this disease throughout the year.
