Cancer is a progressive disease that has been taking so many lives on earth, without any cure. The treatment consists of chemotherapy however with no certainty that it will work. Scientists and experts all across the world are trying to eradicate the disease and working towards what we can call the cure of cancer. On February 4th, every year World Cancer Day is observed. A day dedicated to everyone across the globe fighting cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and even for the caregivers. The statistics related to cancer, however, are absolutely alarming. With over 9.5 million people are known to have cancer at a severe stage in the year 2018, cancer is a global health burden we all have to fight against collectively. According to Latest global cancer data by WHO, one in 5 men and one in 6 women worldwide develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in 8 men and one in 11 women die from the disease. The burden of cancer is only increasing and according to WHO the factors behind, are population growth, ageing, late detection and screening etc. Moreover, lung and female breast cancers are the leading types of cancer worldwide. Colorectal cancer (1.8 million cases, 10.2% of the total) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, prostate cancer is the fourth (1.3 million cases, 7.1%), and stomach cancer is the fifth (1.0 million cases, 5.7%.) Cancer Cure Can Be a Reality by the End of This Year! MAJOR Medical Breakthrough Offers Hope to Patients Everywhere.

Significance of World Cancer Day 2019

World Cancer Day is observed to raise awareness about the disease, educate the people about ways to make the fight against cancer easier. The day also sees people spreading awareness about how can one fight cancer through early screening and detection, healthy diet, physical activities, smoking and other aspects of cancer via festivals, seminars, walks and various campaigns. It is more like a collective effort towards making more and more people aware of the disease that could happen to anyone. Cancer is scanned early has a better chance of treatment; therefore it is essential for people to know of the disease and its early symptoms.  World Cancer Day 2019: More Positive High-Risk HPV Cases Among 31–45 Age, Cervical Cancer Screening Survey Reveals.

What is The Theme of World Cancer Day 2019?

The theme for World Cancer Day 2019 is "I am and I will" it is about your cancer story and your commitment towards fighting the disease off, no matter how difficult the situation is. The theme aims to infuse encouragement and confidence among all the ones who are fighting the disease every day.

What Can You Do to Help Decrease the Global Cancer Burden?

  • Know and increase awareness about the early signs and symptoms, detection guidelines of cancer.

  • Share real-life cancer stories, yours or others and join support groups to help make positive changes in other people's lives.

  • Cancer survivors need both physical and emotional support, cater to them as much as possible.

  • Reach out to the government leaders to help appropriate resources allocation for the patients and cancer survivors.

  • Dismiss rumours and myths about the disease and may lead to the stigma attached to the disease.

  • Urge yours and other institutions such as schools and workplaces to implement healthy habits among people and hold cancer-screening campaigns.

India is claimed to have over 1.16 million new cancer cases this year, and more than 50 per cent of these will be diagnosed in women, as per reports by WHO. The gender-based ration is also due to the fact that breast cancer incidence has gone up by 39.1 per cent between 1990 and 2016 and is the most common cancer among women in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 04, 2019 08:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).