Cancer is a disease that increasingly touches the lives of us all. One in two men and one in three women in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Globally, over 12.7 million people receive a cancer diagnosis each year, yet it is estimated that around one third of these cancers are potentially preventable.
The theme for World Cancer Day 2012 is 'Together it is possible’, which emphasises that cancer control efforts can be most effective when working in partnership. Indeed, collaboration is central to the work of Cancer Australia as we engage with governments, cancer organisations, consumers, researchers and health professionals to shape effective cancer control strategies and reduce the impact of cancer at a national level.
Through the theme 'Together it is possible', we are also reminded of the role that we can each play as individuals, in reducing the incidence of cancer. While there are some cancer risk factors we can't control, there are simple lifestyle choices people can make to reduce their risk of cancer. These include quitting smoking, being sun smart, maintaining a healthy diet, getting active and limiting alcohol intake.
On World Cancer Day, I encourage you to take some positive steps to help reduce your risk of cancer and to encourage your family and friends to do the same.
Dr Helen Zorbas
Chief Executive Officer
Cancer Australia
Find out more about:
- Find out what you can do to help reduce your risk of cancer
- Read Cancer Australia’s media release for World Cancer Day (PDF 88KB)
- Lifestyle and risk reduction
- Visit the World Cancer Day website