The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis G. Sambo, gave the advice in his message to mark World Cancer Day, observed worldwide on 4 February, according to a statement received here by PANA.
In the message, Dr Sambo called for greater public awareness about cancer, and made a special plea for immunizing African children against cancer-causing viral infections such as Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus in fections, in order to prevent the occurrence of cancer later in life.
The Regional Director extended his appeal for action against cancer to global stakeholders, saying: 'I call on international agencies and donors to tailor their aid and development assistance to improve funding and technical support for cancer prevention and control programmes (in the African Region).'
The theme of this year's World Cancer Day -- Cancer can be prevented too " underscores the importance of protecting individuals and communities against cancer risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inacti vity, overweight and infections that cause cancer.
Tobacco use, which accounts for 30 per cent of cancer-related deaths in the world, is the most preventable cause of cancer known to man. A further 40 per cent of cancers are related to unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and their associated obesity conditions. Harmful use of alcohol is another risk factor, as are a host of environmental exposures and some genetic dispositions.
'The burden of cancer is not just a burden of grief, it also undermines society's prospect for growth, prosperity and hope,' Dr Sambo said, disclosing that in 2008, 667,000 cancer cases and 518,000 cancer-related deaths were recorded in the African Region, where underlying chronic infections account for 26 per cent of risk factors.
In men, the commonest forms of cancer are Kaposi's sarcoma and cancers of the liver and prostrate gland; in women, cancers of the cervix and breast and Kaposi's sarcoma are commonest.
Most cancers can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyles such as cessation of tobacco use, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, undertaking physical activity and adopting a health diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Experts say that preven tive measures are doubly beneficial as they can also contribute to preventing other chronic diseases that share the same risk factor.
'What is needed (now) is urgent action. Millions of lives could be saved each year if old attitudes and myths about cancer care dealt with, prevention and control measures stepped up, and more people get access to available new technologies and effective treatments,' Dr. Sambo said.
According to the 2008 World Cancer Report, the cancer situation worldwide is wor sening as patients remain unscreened and undiagnosed or inadequately treated. The report projects that new cancer cases will rise globally from 13 million to 27 million annually by 2030, killing 17 million people every year.
Lagos - Pana 05/02/2010
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