04.02.14
Cancer prevention ‘desperately needed’ – WHO
Half of all world cancers are now preventable, a new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) states.
On World Cancer Day, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) predicted that the number of new cases worldwide will increase by 70% from 2012 to 2035. The number of annual deaths from cancer will rise from 8.2 million to 14.6 million in the same time period.
The increase is expected to be higher in less developed countries due to carrying levels of access to preventative healthcare, and a rise in more ‘industrial’ unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking and eating more processed red meat.
The IARC called for a greater focus on prevention of cancers, with high priority on the availability and pricing of alcohol, anti-smoking measures, the consideration of a taxation on sugary drinks and greater awareness around the link between cancer and being overweight.
Dr Christopher Wild, director of IARC and co-editor of the World Cancer Report 2014 said:“Despite exciting advances, the report shows that we cannot treat our way out of the cancer problem. More commitment to prevention and early detection is desperately needed in order to complement improved treatments and address the alarming rise in the cancer burden globally.”
Smoking is responsible for around 20% of all cancers globally.
Jean King, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco control, said: “Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death, accounting for nearly 1 in 5 deaths, highlighting the need for the rapid implementation of the global treaty on tobacco control. Making smoking less attractive to children by banning the glitzy packs we know appeal to them is a good example of effective tobacco control.
“People can cut their risk of cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices, but it’s important to remember that the government and society are also responsible for creating an environment that supports healthy lifestyles. It’s clear that if we don’t act now to curb the number of people getting cancer, we will be at the heart of a global crisis in cancer care within the next two decades.”
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