World Cancer Day

How much do you know about cancer?
What do you feel towards cancer patients?
Are your closed one struck by cancer?
How much do you support them?
Cancer, as we all know, is one of the leading death causes that contributes to childhood mortality rate and worsen the population aging in certain region. Cancer, or the group of diseases identified by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cell, is initiated by both external and internal factors, such as tobacco consumption, radiation, inherited genetic code, mutation and so on. Although it may ultimately bring death, early diagnosis and prognosis can trigger possible interventions. Yet, the suggested approach to cancer, is primary prevention.
Here are some quick fact about cancer, according to Global Cancer Facts and Figures 2007 by American Cancer Society:

• 1/8 of global death cases are caused by cancer
• The second leading cause of death for developed countries; the third leading cause of death for developing countries
• 27 million new cases and 17.5 million death is estimated by 2050
• The leading cancer for male and female is lung/bronchus cancer and breast cancer respectively
• The leading cancer in South-Eastern Asia is lung cancer which comprises 13.3% of total cases
• Lymphoid leukemia is the most dreadful cancer among the children

Family and spouse care is the vital psychosocial support for the patient who is fighting the disease with existing perseverance. As Dr. Lea Baider quoted, “Illness means to share and negotiate, the family’s collective perceptions could shape the meaning of the illness for each family members.” Effective communication with tolerance and cares is important as a part of therapy, and surprisingly, patients with less distress are reported to have partners who responded to self-disclosures with positive humour.
The theme of World Cancer Campaign 2009, is “I love my healthy active childhood” which monitors and focuses on overweight and obesity among adults and children. Being overweight and obese will increase the risk of cancer.
According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion adults are overweight, and at least 300 million of these are clinically obese.
The International Obesity Taskforce estimates that one out of every ten school-age children is overweight. Of these, around 30-45 million children, that is 2-3% of children aged 5-17, are obese.
World Cancer Day 2009 marks the start of a year-long campaign, where International Union Against Cancer (UICC) will work with parents, teachers and decision-makers around the world to encourage kids to eat a healthy diet, be physically active and maintain a healthy body weight.



If you are interested to find out more, please log on to the following sites:
 World Cancer Campaign
While for those who is wondering about Psycho-Oncology, you may check this out:
International Psycho-Oncology Society