World Cancer Day 2011

Today (Feb. 4) is World Cancer Day.  Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and its incidence continues to rise.  The World Health Organization estimates that 84 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015 without intervention.

Evidence shows that 30-40% all cancers deaths can be prevented, and one-third can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.

In May 2010, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), calling for a UN Summit on NCDs to be held on the 19-20 September 2011 in New York.  The Summit will address the prevention and control of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, which together account for 60% (35 million) of global deaths. The largest burden – 80% (28 million) – occurs in low- and middle- income countries, making NCDs a major risk to global development and economic growth.

World Cancer Day resources:

• World Health Organization
• World Cancer Day site