This Saturday 4 February marks World Cancer Day – a global initiative focusing on the fight against cancer.
World Cancer Day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action.
The theme for 2017 is “We Can, I Can” – demonstrating that everyone has a role to play in cancer control. Throughout this week, Cancer Council Queensland will be highlighting the actions everyone can do to reduce our burden of cancer – both locally and globally.
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Professor Jeff Dunn AO is urging everyone to take part in World Cancer Day whether it’s through an event or by joining the conversation online using the hashtags #WorldCancerDay and #WeCanICan.
“Your support makes a difference to all Queenslanders, all cancers,” he said.
More than 26,000 Queenslanders will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone, and about 8600 will die from the disease.
Mr Dunn said Cancer Council is proud to join with the Union for International Cancer Control as champions of World Cancer Day in Queensland, in solidarity with all those affected.
“On a global scale, currently 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide each year. Of these, about half (four million people) die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years),” he said.
“We can, I can, Queensland can make a difference. You can reduce your individual risk of preventable cancers by simple healthy lifestyle choices, including being active, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol.
“Get involved today and help spread the word about World Cancer Day – post, tweet, and share – stand with the world in the fight against cancer.”
For more information about World Cancer Day and ways to get involved, visit worldcancerday.org. More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available via 13 11 20 or cancerqld.org.au.
