MM News

ISLAMABAD: World Cancer Day is being observed across the globe today.

World Cancer Day is observed every year around the world on 4th February to generate awareness globally for those who suffer from the deadly disease.

The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is “closing the care gap” and fortunately, much is being done to bring quality cancer care to countries for which, up until now, it has been out of reach.

WHO’s efforts are focused on breast cancer, now the most common cancer; cervical cancer, that can be eliminated; and childhood cancer. The focus for each of these initiatives is low- and middle-income countries, where the biggest public health gains are to be made.

Cancer occurs due to abnormal growth of cells in tissue or organ of the body. This disease is the second leading cause of death globally.

There has been a rise in the number of cancer cases that are now being reported in Asia, and health experts believe that poor lifestyle is the primary reason for this.

According to the WHO, one-third of deaths from cancer are due to the five leading behavioural and dietary risks: high body mass index, low fruit, and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol use.

Tobacco use contributes to a huge number of cancer deaths. It is responsible for approximately 22 percent of cancer deaths.

Lung, colorectal, stomach, liver and breast cancers are responsible for most cancer deaths each year.

The WHO further stated that one in six deaths was due to cancer. Approximately 70 percent of deaths from cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries.