Every year, on 4 February, the World Health Organisation (WHO) promotes ways to ease the global burden of cancer.
The WHO warns that cancer incidence is rising in Europe - the total number of new cancer cases diagnosed in 2012 was 3.7 million, and the number is estimated to increase by 25% by 2030. This increase is the result of both an ageing population and other factors, such as tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, increasing overweight and obesity, exposure to occupational and environmental carcinogens (e.g. air pollution, ultraviolet radiation). Under the tagline "We can. I can.", World Cancer Day 2016 will show how everyone – collectively and as individuals – can do their part in reducing the global burden of cancer. It is not only cancer research, which might save your life, if you should become diagnosed with cancer. It is also up to you to avoid the common risk factors to reduce your personal risk of becoming a cancer patient in the first place.
Find out about the 12 ways of reducing your personal cancer risk suggested by the WHO.
