In commemoration of the World Cancer Day, 2021, the World Health Organization, W.H.O has unveiled tips on reducing cancer risk.
The tips listed by the W.H.O include making healthy lifestyle choices, getting vaccinated and screened regularly, noting that treatment works best when cancer is detected early.
On how to reduce the risk of cancer, the W.H.O warned against smoking or usage of any form of tobacco, reducing air pollution, limiting alcohol intake, and using sun protection.
The Organization stated that breastfeeding reduces a mother’s cancer risk.
Leading Causes Of Cancer
According to the Organization, the leading causes of cancer are Tobacco, HPV, Hepatitis infections, Alcohol, Obesity and Air pollution.
“The risk factors for cancers include older age and family history, tobacco and alcohol use, a diet high in sugar, salt and fat, physical inactivity, being overweight, and exposure to specific chemicals, among others.” W.H.O tweeted.
The theme for the 2021 World Cancer Day is “I am and I will”, marking the endpoint of the three-year campaign, which has sought to reduce fear, increase understanding and change behaviours and attitudes around cancer.
Everyevery.ng gathered that over the past 20 years, new cancer cases have more than doubled in the African Region, however, 40 % of cancer deaths are preventable with simple lifestyle choices.
Also, the W.H.O predicted that the number of new cancer diagnoses would be nearly 50% higher than in 2020. The most significant increases will be in low- and middle-income countries.
The Organization revealed that nearly 20 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2020, while 1 in 5 people worldwide develops cancer during their lifetime.
The most commonly occurring cancer types worldwide are Breast cancer: 12%, Lung cancer: 11%, Colorectal cancer: 10% and Prostate cancer: 7%.