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The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) challenges every single South African to ask themselves: "What can I do about cancer?" This World Cancer Day on 4 February you can personally do something to change the lives of those touched by cancer.
World Cancer Day takes place every year and is the singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic.
World Cancer Day is an initiative of the World Health Organisation in collaboration with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), through which they aim to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease.
Globally, every month 600 000 people die from cancer and many of these deaths could be avoided with increased governmental support and funding for prevention, detection and treatment programmes.
Everybody can reduce the burden of cancer
World Cancer Day 2012 has been themed ’Together it is possible’ because it’s only by every person, organisation, government individually doing their part that the world will be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025.
Says Sue Janse Van Rensburg, Cansa’s CEO, “In 2011, Cansa pledged to collect signatures for the World Cancer Day declaration for a cancer-free society, and we’re grateful that over 33 000 people signed up as part of this global fight against cancer.
World Cancer Day reminds us that every person, group and government can do their bit to help reduce the burden of cancer.”
Cansa encourages in the fight against cancer
Cansa encourages the following ways to help make a difference and help them fight cancer:
As an individual
• Start with yourself by making daily smart choices. Choose to stay out of the sun, don’t smoke, follow a healthy, balanced eating plan and get regular exercise.
• Sign our petition for the banning of tanning beds for under 18 year olds
• Support our BPA Baby Bottle Exchange & Recycling Project to help keep babies safe
It’s up to us as a nation to impress on government the urgency of recognising their national responsibility in moving South Africa towards a healthy and cancer-smart country.
As a family
Look out for one another by setting an example and educating your loved ones. Parents, replace chips and chocolates in the kids’ lunch boxes with dried fruit and whole grain foods.
Take the whole family to your local shopping centre on 3 or 4 March and take part in Cansa’s 2012 Shavathon for a R50 donation for adults and R25 for children under 12 years. Visit www.shavathon.org.za
As a company, organisation, club or school
Know what your rights are in terms of the tobacco law and stand up for it. Invite Cansa staff to hold talks throughout the year regarding cancer screening for your employees. Educate, inform and encourage members, scholars and employees. You can go online right now and start a donation page on Cansa’s website and start raising money for the fight against cancer.
Cansa press release
- (Health24, January 2012)
Read more:
Cancer: don't become a statistic
