Today, February 4, marks World Cancer Day. Every year, this day is observed worldwide through various programs. The purpose of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about this deadly and life-threatening disease and to encourage people to support those affected by cancer. No country, whether developed or underdeveloped, is free from the severity of this disease.
World Cancer Day is observed under the leadership of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a non-governmental organization headquartered in Geneva. The organization has around 2,000 members across more than 170 countries.
This Year's Theme: "United by Uniqueness"
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, claiming nearly 10 million lives each year.
Experts state that awareness and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. Instead of fear, the focus should be on prevention.
Early Detection & Prevention
Doctors emphasize that regular health check-ups can help detect cancer at an early stage, making treatment more effective. As cancer progresses, various symptoms appear in different parts of the body.
Recent studies show that in Bangladesh, 106 out of every 100,000 people suffer from cancer, with 53 new cases emerging each year per 100,000 population. Cancer accounts for 12% of total deaths. The most common types include breast, oral, stomach, lung, and cervical cancer.
Risk Factors for Cancer
Some of the major factors that increase cancer risk include:
Smoking, chewing betel leaf, jorda, and tobacco
Lack of nutritious food
Insufficient physical activity
Obesity
Excessive radiation exposure
Chemical substances and viral infections
Moreover, due to globalization, the consumption of fast food, junk food, and canned food has significantly increased in Bangladesh, posing serious health risks. Experts warn that these foods contain harmful elements like sugar, salt, and trans fats, which not only increase cancer risk but also contribute to heart disease and strokes.
Particularly, red meat consumption can also be harmful to health. To reduce cancer risk, people should avoid processed foods and opt for vegetables, fruits, and fibre-rich foods.
Cancer Statistics in Bangladesh
According to Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Prevalence (GLOBOCAN) statistics, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under WHO, reported that in Bangladesh, approximately 271,000 cancer patients have been diagnosed in the last five years and are still battling the disease.
The main objective of observing World Cancer Day is to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease and encourage people to support cancer patients.
