We all have been impacted by cancer  directly or indirectly lost a loved to it or a familiar face because of it. When cancer enters an individual's body nothing remains the same after, its takes toll on every single person who is in your life, destroys body, future and lives. Nothing good has ever come out this life threatening disease. World Cancer Day celebrated every year on january 4th since the year 2000 is a day dedicated to people suffering from cancer and the millions who lost their lives because of it. This is initiated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

The UICC is the global cancer control campaign takes up to bring together the people of the world whose lives have been by cancer to call for change and take action. It is also through this day we try to reduce  the anxiety and stigma that is  around cancer by encouraging people to talk about their stories and start a conversation around people who are not aware about it also also help to reduce the feeling of fear and distress in those who are going through treatment.

World Cancer Day is also a day used to spread awareness about cancer and practice prevention by taking the necessary actions to reduce the spread of cancer.Researches show that over a third of cancers can be prevented by taking the necessary precautions. Furthermore one third of cancer cases are curable as long as it is detected at and early stage and treated.

Disturbing Facts About Cancer 

• Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide with approximately 10 million deaths in 2020.Among which India has a total of 14,61,427 cases of cancer.

• The most common type of cancer is breast, lung , colon, rectum and prostate cancers.

• About 80% of children with cancer will survive in high-income countries and only 20% of children with cancer are likely to survive in low-income countries.

• More than 3,00,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year.

• 60%-65% of all new lung cancers are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers.10%-15% of lung cancer cases are in never smokers.

• Cancer cases in India are estimated to be 15.7 lakh by the year 2025.

How Can You Support This Day?

The most disturbing fact about cancer is that it can affect anyone, age and genetic factors are inevitable risk.Prevention and precaution lies in our hands it is empowering to know that if we make some necessary changes in our life we can significantly reduce the risk factors from our life. Our own conduct in life plus our lifestyle choices in our everyday routine can help eliminate the risk of getting cancer.

• Quitting bad habits like smoking, tobacco and reducing the consumption of alcohol.

• Applying appropriate amounts of sunscreen on all areas exposed to the sun can majorly reduce the risk of skin cancer.

• Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active by regularly exercising.

• Safeguard yourself from infections that can lower the risk of infection-linked cancers by not sharing needles or using needles once.

• Maintain a healthy diet by keeping calories in check and consuming a diet low in animal fat,red meat and processed meat.

Lastly Always remember to acknowledge the warning signs and seek help from medical professionals. 

On World Cancer Day we have to bring together individuals,groups and decision makers to call totake action and inspire change from both individuals and form the government against preventable cancer deaths. This day also urges to close the health care gap by making the medical treatment for cancer more accessible to the lower income groups. The medical science has progressed so much in terms of treatment for cancer we just have to make it reach the ones who are in dire need of it. Let us also take a moment to honor the millions of patients fighting the dreadful disease that is cancer every single day and mourne the ones we have lost.