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World Cancer Day - Focus on link between infections and cancer
Cancer Council Queensland has joined the International Union Against Cancer’s (UICC) global initiative to call for greater awareness around the contribution of infections to the global cancer burden
‘Cancer can be prevented too’ is the theme of a new campaign being launched for World Cancer Day (February 4), by the UICC, with the support of Cancer Council Queensland.
The campaign is backed by a new scientific report ‘Protection against cancer causing infections’ which focuses on nine infections that can lead to cancer.
“Of the 12 million people who are diagnosed with cancer each year, around 20 per cent of cases can be attributed to viral and bacterial infections that either directly cause or increase the risk of cancer,” said Professor David Hill, UICC President.
“For this reason UICC, with over 300 member organizations in more than 100 countries will focus this year’s World Cancer Day campaign on increasing awareness of the contribution of infections to the global cancer burden.”
Cancers caused by viral or bacterial infections can be prevented through strategies such as vaccinations and by adopting lifestyle changes.
Executive Manager, Cancer Action Team, Cancer Council Queensland, Deborah Gillespie, said dramatic developments have taken place, with the HPV vaccine which protects against the human papillomavirus that can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine was developed by Queensland researcher Professor Ian Fraser, and supported by Cancer Council Queensland funding.
“There is a call for increased awareness of how some infections can lead to cancer especially given the possibilities offered by prevention,” Ms Gillespie said.
“Policy-makers around the world have the opportunity to use these vaccines to save people’s lives and educate communities towards lifestyle choices that reduce their risk of cancer,” she said.
Protecting against cancer-causing infections is one of the topics addressed under the umbrella of the ‘Cancer can be prevented too’ campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the fact that the risk of developing cancer can potentially be reduced by up to 40 per cent through simple lifestyle changes and other control measures such as vaccination, regular physical activity, eating healthily, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing sun exposure and avoiding tobacco.
ENDS.
For more information, please contact:
Lyndal Bass, Media and Communications Advisor, Cancer Council Queensland
Ph: (07) 3634 5372 or 0409 00 11 71
Notes to Editors
The International Union Against Cancer (UICC): Founded in 1933, UICC is the world’s leading consortium of cancer-fighting organizations, with over 300 members spanning Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East (www.uicc.org).
Please sign the World Cancer Declaration: www.uicc.org/declaration.
World Cancer Day: ’Cancer can be prevented too’ is a global campaign launched on World Cancer Day by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) to increase public awareness on the prevention of cancer and how a number of simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer later in life. Celebrated every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day is led by UICC and its member organizations with the support of the World Health Organization and key partners.
The ‘Cancer can be prevented too’ campaign is backed by free informative material, including a series of comprehensive UICC expert reports, fact sheets, and many more online resources and contacts.
For media materials including the World Cancer Campaign Report 2010 ’Protection against cancer-causing infections,’ visit: www.worldcancercampaign.org.
‘Cancer can be prevented too’ is the theme of a new campaign being launched for World Cancer Day (February 4), by the UICC, with the support of Cancer Council Queensland.
The campaign is backed by a new scientific report ‘Protection against cancer causing infections’ which focuses on nine infections that can lead to cancer.
“Of the 12 million people who are diagnosed with cancer each year, around 20 per cent of cases can be attributed to viral and bacterial infections that either directly cause or increase the risk of cancer,” said Professor David Hill, UICC President.
“For this reason UICC, with over 300 member organizations in more than 100 countries will focus this year’s World Cancer Day campaign on increasing awareness of the contribution of infections to the global cancer burden.”
Cancers caused by viral or bacterial infections can be prevented through strategies such as vaccinations and by adopting lifestyle changes.
Executive Manager, Cancer Action Team, Cancer Council Queensland, Deborah Gillespie, said dramatic developments have taken place, with the HPV vaccine which protects against the human papillomavirus that can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine was developed by Queensland researcher Professor Ian Fraser, and supported by Cancer Council Queensland funding.
“There is a call for increased awareness of how some infections can lead to cancer especially given the possibilities offered by prevention,” Ms Gillespie said.
“Policy-makers around the world have the opportunity to use these vaccines to save people’s lives and educate communities towards lifestyle choices that reduce their risk of cancer,” she said.
Protecting against cancer-causing infections is one of the topics addressed under the umbrella of the ‘Cancer can be prevented too’ campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the fact that the risk of developing cancer can potentially be reduced by up to 40 per cent through simple lifestyle changes and other control measures such as vaccination, regular physical activity, eating healthily, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing sun exposure and avoiding tobacco.
ENDS.
For more information, please contact:
Lyndal Bass, Media and Communications Advisor, Cancer Council Queensland
Ph: (07) 3634 5372 or 0409 00 11 71
Notes to Editors
The International Union Against Cancer (UICC): Founded in 1933, UICC is the world’s leading consortium of cancer-fighting organizations, with over 300 members spanning Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East (www.uicc.org).
Please sign the World Cancer Declaration: www.uicc.org/declaration.
World Cancer Day: ’Cancer can be prevented too’ is a global campaign launched on World Cancer Day by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) to increase public awareness on the prevention of cancer and how a number of simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer later in life. Celebrated every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day is led by UICC and its member organizations with the support of the World Health Organization and key partners.
The ‘Cancer can be prevented too’ campaign is backed by free informative material, including a series of comprehensive UICC expert reports, fact sheets, and many more online resources and contacts.
For media materials including the World Cancer Campaign Report 2010 ’Protection against cancer-causing infections,’ visit: www.worldcancercampaign.org.
