Millions of cancer cases are preventable - lifestyle factors key to saving lives
Latest cancer preventability data released to mark World Cancer Day
GENEVA, Switzerland 04 February 2011 /PRNewswire/ — On World Cancer Day, new independent evidence confirms that the increasing global trend of unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles is responsible for putting millions at an unnecessarily high risk of cancer.
New estimates released today by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) global network suggest that across a range of countries, making lifestyle changes including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and taking regular physical activity can reduce the risk of common cancers by up to a third.1
These findings are further supported by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health. This landmark report reinforces that regular physical activity has the potential to prevent many diseases such as breast and colon cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The report addresses three age groups (5-17 years old, 18-64 years old, and 65 years old and above) and provides concrete recommendations for levels of physical activity needed for health;2 these recommendations are especially helpful for low- and middle-income countries, where few national guidelines for physical activity exist.
"Physical activity is recommended for people of all ages as a means to reduce risks for certain types of cancers and other non-communicable diseases," says Dr Tim Armstrong, from WHO's Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. "In order to improve their health and prevent several diseases, adults should do at least 150 minutes moderate physical activity throughout the week. This can be achieved by simply walking 30 minutes five times per week or by cycling to work daily".
There is also consistent evidence that other healthy living initiatives are vital in reducing the risk of cancer including stopping tobacco use, avoiding exposure to passive smoke, avoiding excessive sun exposure and protecting against cancer-causing infections. And to help fight the global cancer epidemic, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is urging individuals to take action and support the World Cancer Declaration - at www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration
Signing the Declaration will help UICC in its effort to motivate global leaders to set realistic and achievable directives for preventing cancer during the United Nations Summit for Non-Communicable Diseases in September 2011. There has only been one UN General Assembly special session focused on health since 1947; the announcement of the 2011 summit is an unprecedented step in the battle against cancer.
Dr Eduardo Cazap, President of UICC summarised, “Support World Cancer Day by signing the World Cancer Declaration and help us achieve the goal of one million supporters for a Cancer Free World. With individuals, governments and policy makers of the world working together, we have the ability to ease the global burden of cancer now and for future generations.”
Background information
About cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and its incidence continues to rise. Each year 12.7 million people discover they have cancer and 7.6 million people die from the disease. Evidence shows that 30-40% all cancers deaths can be prevented,3 and one-third can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.
There are about 200 known types of cancer.4 As with most illnesses cancer is multifactorial which means that there is no single cause for any one type of cancer. However, certain largely controllable or avoidable lifestyle and environmental factors are also known to be causes of cancer. For more information on health living initiatives please visit: http://www.worldcancerday.org/prevention
About UICC
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is the leading international non-governmental organisation dedicated to the global prevention and control of cancer. UICC’s mission is to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations. Founded in 1933, UICC unites 400 member organisations, specialised and engaged in cancer control, in more than 120 countries across the world. UICC is non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information please visit www.uicc.org or join our join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136
About the World Cancer Declaration
The World Cancer Declaration is a tool to help bring the growing cancer crisis to the attention of government leaders and health policymakers in order to significantly reduce the global cancer burden by 2020. It represents a consensus between government officials, public health experts and cancer advocates from around the world who are committed to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations.
The Declaration outlines 11 targets to be achieved by 2020 including: significant drops in global tobacco consumption, obesity and alcohol intake, universal vaccination programmes for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV) to prevent liver and cervical cancer, universal availability of effective pain medication and dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer. As the custodian of the Declaration, UICC encourages priority actions to achieve the Declaration’s targets locally and nationally and promotes a comprehensive response across the globe. For more information please visit – www.uicc.org/declaration
About the UN high level meeting on non-communicable diseases
In May 2010, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), calling for a UN Summit on NCDs to be held on the 19-20 September 2011 in New York. The Summit will address the prevention and control of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, which together account for 60% (35 million) of global deaths. The largest burden - 80% (28 million) - occurs in low- and middle- income countries, making NCDs a major risk to global development and economic growth. For more information on the NCD summit visit: www.ncdalliance.org
References
- WCRF/AICR preventability estimates: Update to estimates produced
for the 2009 Policy Report. 2011. World Cancer Research Fund. - WHO. Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health
- WHO, 2007: ‘The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer’. Available at: http://www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf Last accessed Jan 2011
- Cancer Research UK. Available from: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Last accessed Jan 2011
About 79,000 cases of common cancer are preventable in the UK annually - lifestyle factors key to saving lives
Latest cancer preventability data released to mark World Cancer Day
GENEVA, Switzerland 04 February 2011 /PRNewswire/ — On World Cancer Day, new estimates released today by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) show that by eating a healthy diet, undertaking regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, about 79,000 cases of cancer in the UK could be prevented each year. 1
Through making these simple healthy lifestyle changes, a significant proportion of common cancers in the UK could be prevented including breast (42% of cases), bowel (43% of cases) and prostate (20% of cases).1
“It is distressing that even in 2011 people are dying unnecessarily from cancers that could be prevented through maintaining a healthy weight, diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors. We still a have chance to avert a big increase in cancer cases in the UK, so we urge the public and the Government to make cancer prevention a public health priority,” comments Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
These findings are further supported by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health.2 This landmark report reinforces that regular physical activity has the potential to prevent many diseases such as breast and bowel cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The report addresses three age groups (5-17 years old, 18-64 years old, and 65 years old and above) and provides concrete recommendations for levels of physical activity needed for health;2 these recommendations are especially helpful for low- and middle-income countries, where few national guidelines for physical activity exist.
"Physical activity is recommended for people of all ages as a means to reduce risks for certain types of cancers and other non-communicable diseases," says Dr Tim Armstrong, from WHO's Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. "In order to improve their health and prevent several diseases, adults should do at least 150 minutes moderate physical activity throughout the week. This can be achieved by simply walking 30 minutes five times per week or by cycling to work daily".
There is also consistent evidence that other healthy living initiatives are vital in reducing the risk of cancer including stopping tobacco use, avoiding exposure to passive smoke and to excessive sun exposure and protecting against cancer-causing infections. And to help fight the global cancer epidemic, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is urging people in Britain to take action and support the World Cancer Declaration – at http://www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration
Signing the Declaration will help UICC in its effort to motivate global leaders to set realistic and achievable directives for preventing cancer during the United Nations Summit for Non-Communicable Diseases in September 2011. There has only been one UN General Assembly special session focused on health since 1947; the announcement of the 2011 summit is an unprecedented step in the battle against cancer.
Dr Eduardo Cazap, President of UICC summarised, “Support World Cancer Day by signing the World Cancer Declaration and help us achieve the goal of one million supporters for a Cancer Free World. With individuals, governments and policy makers of the world working together, we have the ability to ease the global burden of cancer now and for future generations.”
Background information
About cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and its incidence continues to rise. Each year 12.7 million people discover they have cancer and 7.6 million people die from the disease. Evidence shows that 30-40% all cancers deaths can be prevented,3 and one-third can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.
There are about 200 known types of cancer.4 As with most illnesses cancer is multifactorial which means that there is no single cause for any one type of cancer. However, certain largely controllable or avoidable lifestyle and environmental factors are also known to be causes of cancer. For more information on health living initiatives please visit:
About UICC
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is the leading international non-governmental organisation dedicated to the global prevention and control of cancer. UICC’s mission is to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations. Founded in 1933, UICC unites 400 member organisations, specialised and engaged in cancer control, in more than 120 countries across the world. UICC is non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information please visit or join our join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136
About the World Cancer Declaration
The World Cancer Declaration is a tool to help bring the growing cancer crisis to the attention of government leaders and health policymakers in order to significantly reduce the global cancer burden by 2020. It represents a consensus between government officials, public health experts and cancer advocates from around the world who are committed to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations.
The Declaration outlines 11 targets to be achieved by 2020 including: significant drops in global tobacco consumption, obesity and alcohol intake, universal vaccination programmes for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV) to prevent liver and cervical cancer, universal availability of effective pain medication and dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer. As the custodian of the Declaration, UICC encourages priority actions to achieve the Declaration’s targets locally and nationally and promotes a comprehensive response across the globe. For more information please visit – http://www.uicc.org/declaration
About the UN high level meeting on non-communicable diseases
In May 2010, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), calling for a UN Summit on NCDs to be held on the 19-20 September 2011 in New York. The Summit will address the prevention and control of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, which together account for 60% (35 million) of global deaths. The largest burden - 80% (28 million) - occurs in low- and middle- income countries, making NCDs a major risk to global development and economic growth. For more information on the NCD summit visit: http://www.ncdalliance.org
For Information please contact:
References
- WCRF/AICR preventability estimates: Update to estimates produced for the 2009 Policy Report. 2011. World Cancer Research Fund
- WHO. Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health
- WHO, 2007: ‘The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer’. Available at: http://www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf. Last accessed Jan 2011
- Cancer Research UK. Available from: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Last accessed Jan 2011
About 340,000 of Common Cancer Cases Preventable in U.S. – Lifestyle Factors Key to Saving Lives
Latest cancer preventability data released to mark World Cancer Day
GENEVA, Switzerland 04 February 2011 /PRNewswire/ — New estimates released today, on World Cancer Day, by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) show that by eating a varied and healthy diet, undertaking regular physical activity, being at a healthy weight and limiting alcohol intake, about 340,000 cases of cancer in United States could be prevented each year. In fact, significant reductions in particularly common cancers could be achieved including breast (38 percent of cases), stomach (47 percent of cases) and colon (45 percent of cases).1
The WCRF findings are further supported by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health.2 This landmark report reinforces the AICR/WCRF conclusion that regular physical activity can prevent many diseases such as breast and colon cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The report provides concrete recommendations for levels of physical activity needed for health at three ages (5-17 years, 18-64 years, and over age 65);2 these recommendations are especially helpful for low- and middle-income countries, where few national guidelines for physical inactivity exist.
"Physical activity is recommended for people of all ages as a means to reduce risks for certain types of cancers and other non-communicable diseases," says Dr. Tim Armstrong, from WHO's Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. "In order to improve their health and prevent several diseases, adults should do at least 150 minutes moderate physical activity throughout the week. This can be achieved by simply walking 30 minutes five times per week or by cycling to work daily".
There is also consistent evidence that other choices we make personally or collectively can reduce the risk of cancer including not using tobacco, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and protecting against cancer-causing infections. To help fight the global cancer epidemic, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is urging Americans to take action and support the World Cancer Declaration - at http://www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration
Signing the Declaration will help UICC in its effort to motivate global leaders to set realistic and achievable directives for preventing cancer during the United Nations Summit for Non-Communicable Diseases, which will be held in September, 2011. This will be only the second UN General Assembly special session focused on health since 1947.
Dr Eduardo Cazap, President of UICC summarised, “Support World Cancer Day by signing the World Cancer Declaration and help us achieve the goal of one million supporters for a Cancer Free World. With individuals, governments and policy makers of the world working together, we have the ability to ease the global burden of cancer now and for future generations.”
“The American Institute for Cancer Research is honored to be part of the effort to reduce cancer risk both in the United States and across the world. We urge Americans to make the simple lifestyle changes of eating healthy food, getting regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce cancer risk,” said Tim Byers, MD, MPH of the Colorado School of Public Health. “We are making progress, but with hundreds of preventable cancer cases still being diagnosed every day in the United States, and thousands worldwide, it’s imperative that we all take action now through both the personal and collective choices we make. I urge everyone to sign the World Cancer Declaration petition to move us forward in the fight against cancer everywhere.”
To further support World Cancer Day, learn more about the facts of the global cancer epidemic by taking the LIVESTRONG 5 question World Cancer Day Quiz at http://quiz.livestrong.org
Background information
About cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and its incidence continues to rise. Each year 12.7 million people discover they have cancer and 7.6 million people die from the disease. Evidence shows that 30-40% all cancers deaths can be prevented,3, and one-third can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.
As with most illnesses cancer is multifactorial which means that there is no single cause for any one type of cancer. However, certain largely controllable or avoidable lifestyle and environmental factors are also known to cause mutations that can cause cancer. For more information on health living initiatives please visit: http://www.worldcancerday.org/prevention
About UICC
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is the leading international non-governmental organisation dedicated to the global prevention and control of cancer. UICC’s mission is to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations. Founded in 1933, UICC unites 400 member organisations, specialised and engaged in cancer control, in more than 120 countries across the world. UICC is non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information please visit http://www.uicc.org or join our join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136
About the World Cancer Declaration
The World Cancer Declaration is a tool to help bring the growing cancer crisis to the attention of government leaders and health policymakers in order to significantly reduce the global cancer burden by 2020. It represents a consensus between government officials, public health experts and cancer advocates from around the world who are committed to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations.
The Declaration outlines 11 targets to be achieved by 2020 including: significant drops in global tobacco consumption, obesity and alcohol intake, universal vaccination programmes for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV) to prevent liver and cervical cancer, universal availability of effective pain medication and dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer. As the custodian of the Declaration, UICC encourages priority actions to achieve the Declaration’s targets locally and nationally and promotes a comprehensive response across the globe. For more information please visit – http://www.uicc.org/declaration
About the UN high level meeting on non-communicable diseases
In May 2010, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), calling for a UN Summit on NCDs to be held on the 19-20 September 2011 in New York. The Summit will address the prevention and control of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, which together account for 60% (35 million) of global deaths. The largest burden - 80% (28 million) - occurs in low- and middle- income countries, making NCDs a major risk to global development and economic growth. For more information on the NCD summit visit: http://www.ncdalliance.org
For Information please contact:
References
- WCRF/AICR preventability estimates: Update to estimates produced for the 2009 Policy Report. 2011. World Cancer Research Fund
- WHO. Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health
- WHO, 2007: ‘The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer’. Available at: http://www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf. Last accessed Jan 2011
- Cancer Research UK. Available from: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Last accessed Jan 2011
Millionen von Krebsfällen vermeidbar - gesunder Lebensstil kann Leben retten
Veröffentlichung der neuesten Daten zur Krebsvorsorge anlässlich des Weltkrebstages
GENF, Schweiz, 4. Februar 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Am Weltkrebstag beweisen neue unabhängige Studien, dass der steigende globale Trend ungesunder Lebensweisen mit sitzenden Tätigkeiten jedes Jahr Millionen von Menschen einem unnötig hohen Krebsrisiko aussetzt.
Den heute vom globalen Netzwerk des World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) veröffentlichten neuen Schätzungen zufolge kann eine bewusste Umstellung der Lebensgewohnheiten wie die Beibehaltung eines gesunden Körpergewichts, einer gesunden Ernährung und einer regelmäßigen körperlichen Bewegung in vielen Ländern das Risiko der häufigsten Krebsarten um bis zu einem Drittel senken.1
Diese Ergebnisse werden außerdem von der neuen Publikation der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health (Umfassende Empfehlungen für die gesundheitsfördernde körperliche Betätigung) belegt. Dieser wegweisende Bericht bekräftigt, dass eine regelmäßige körperliche Bewegung zahlreiche Krankheiten wie Mamma- und Dickdarmkarzinome, Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen und Diabetes verhindern kann. Der Bericht spricht für drei verschiedene Altersgruppen (5-17 Jahre, 18-64 Jahre und 65 Jahre und älter) konkrete Empfehlungen für ein gesundes Maß an körperlicher Bewegung aus.2 Diese Empfehlungen sind insbesondere für Menschen in Ländern niedrigen und mittleren Einkommens hilfreich, in denen nur wenige nationale Richtlinien für die körperliche Bewegung existieren.
„Menschen aller Altersgruppen wird eine körperliche Betätigung empfohlen, um so die Gefahr gewisser Krebsarten und anderer, nicht übertragbarer Krankheiten zu senken“, so Dr. Tim Armstrong von der WHO-Abteilung für chronische Krankheiten und Gesundheitsförderung. „Um ihren allgemeinen Gesundheitszustand zu verbessern und Krankheiten zu vermeiden, sollten sich Erwachsene mindestens 150 Minuten pro Woche mäßig körperlich betätigen. Dies lässt sich beispielsweise mit einem 30-minütigen schnellen Gehen an fünf Wochentagen oder durch tägliches Fahrradfahren zur Arbeit erreichen.“
Außerdem wird immer wieder belegt, dass andere gesundheitsbewusste Verhaltensweisen wesentliche Faktoren bei der Senkung des Krebsrisikos sind: Rauchverzicht, Vermeiden des Passivrauchens, vorsichtiger Umgang mit Sonneneinstrahlung und Schutz vor krebserregenden Infektionen. Im Kampf gegen die globale Krebsepidemie appelliert die Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) an jeden Einzelnen von uns, selbst aktiv zu werden und die Welt-Krebsdeklaration - unter www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration zu unterschreiben.
Mit jeder Unterschrift unterstützt die Deklaration die Weltkrebs-Organisation UICC bei ihren Bemühungen, Politiker und Regierungen in aller Welt zu animieren, auf dem gesundheitspolitischen UN-Gipfel zum Thema „nicht übertragbare Krankheiten“ im September 2011 realistische und realisierbare Richtlinien zur Prävention von Krebs aufzustellen. Seit 1947 hat nur eine Sondersitzung der UN-Generalversammlung zum Thema Gesundheit stattgefunden, sodass die Ankündigung des Gipfels 2011 ein beispielloser Schritt im Kampf gegen Krebs ist.
Dr. Eduardo Cazap, Präsident der UICC, dazu: „Folgen Sie unserem Aufruf und unterstützen Sie den Weltkrebstag mit Ihrer Unterschrift auf der Welt-Krebsdeklaration, damit wir unser Ziel erreichen - eine Million Unterschriften für eine Welt ohne Krebs. Wenn die Menschen, Regierungen und Politiker aus aller Welt zusammenarbeiten, gelingt es uns, die globale Last „Krebs“ jetzt und für künftige Generationen erträglicher zu machen.“
Hintergrundinformationen
Über Krebs
Krebs ist eine der häufigsten Todesursachen weltweit mit steigender Tendenz. Etwa 12,7 Millionen Menschen erhalten jährlich die Diagnose „Krebs“, und 7,6 Millionen sterben an den Folgen dieser Krankheit. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen belegen, dass 30-40 % aller krebsbedingten Todesfälle verhindert werden können , und dass bei einem Drittel aller Patienten durch eine frühzeitige Diagnose und Behandlung echte Heilungschancen bestehen.
Heute kennt man rund 200 verschiedene Krebsarten.4 Krebs ist wie viele andere Krankheiten auch eine multifaktorielle Erkrankung, d. h. sie entsteht durch ein komplexes Zusammenspiel verschiedener auslösender Faktoren. Allerdings können gewisse, größtenteils kontrollierbare oder vermeidbare Lebensgewohnheiten und äußere Faktoren Krebs auslösen. Zusatzinformationen über gesundheitsfördernde Initiativen erhalten Sie unter: www.worldcancerday.org/prevention
Über UICC
Die Union for International Cancer Control (dt.: Internationale Vereinigung gegen Krebs, UICC) ist die führende internationale Nicht-Regierungs-Organisation, die sich der globalen Prävention und Behandlung von Krebserkrankungen widmet. Das Ziel der UICC ist die Eindämmung aller lebensbedrohlichen Krebserkrankungen für künftige Generationen. Die 1933 gegründete Organisation vereint 400 Mitgliedsorganisationen in 120 Ländern weltweit, die sich speziell dem Kampf gegen Krebs widmen. Die UICC ist eine gemeinnützige, politisch unabhängige und konfessionsfreie Organisation. Ihr Sitz ist in Genf in der Schweiz. Zusatzinformationen erhalten Sie unter www.uicc.org oder folgen Sie uns auf Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136.
Über die Welt-Krebsdeklaration
Mit der Welt-Krebsdeklaration soll die Aufmerksamkeit von Regierungen und Gesundheitspolitikern auf die wachsende Krebsepidemie gelenkt werden, um die globale Last „Krebs“ bis 2020 erheblich zu senken. Sie stellt einen Konsens zwischen Regierungsvertretern, Sachverständigen für die öffentliche Gesundheit und Verfechtern der Krankheit aus aller Welt dar mit dem erklärten Ziel, Krebs für künftige Generationen als lebensbedrohliche Krankheit einzudämmen.
Die Deklaration benennt elf grundlegende Ziele, die bis 2020 erreicht werden sollen, u. a.: Die signifikante Reduzierung von Tabak- und Alkoholkonsum weltweit und Übergewicht sowie umfassende Programme zur Impfung gegen Hepatitis B und HPV (humane Papillomviren) als Prävention gegen Leber- und Gebärmutterhalskrebs, die allgemeine Verfügbarkeit effektiver Schmerzmittel und die Ausräumung von Gerüchten und irrigen Meinungen über Krebs. Als Verwalter der Deklaration appelliert die UICC zu dringenden Maßnahmen, um die in der Deklaration verankerten Ziele auf lokaler und nationaler Ebene zu erreichen, und animiert zu einer möglichst flächendeckenden Reaktion rund um den Globus. Zusatzinformationen erhalten Sie unter: www.uicc.org/declaration
Über das UN-Gipfeltreffen zum Thema „nicht übertragbare Krankheiten“
Im Mai 2010 hat die UN-Generalversammlung einstimmig eine Resolution zur Prävention und Kontrolle von nicht übertragbaren Krankheiten (NCD) verabschiedet, in der sie einen UN-Gipfel zum Thema „nicht übertragbare Krankheiten“ vom 19.-20. September 2011 in New York einberuft. Der Gipfel wird sich mit der Prävention und Kontrolle von Krebs, Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, chronischen Atemwegserkrankungen und Diabetes befassen, die zusammen 60 % (35 Millionen) der jährlichen Todesfälle weltweit bedingen. Das Problem ist mit 80 % (28 Millionen) in Ländern niedrigen und mittleren Einkommens besonders groß, wodurch nicht übertragbare Krankheiten eine gravierende Gefahr für die globale Entwicklung und das Wirtschaftswachstum darstellen. Zusatzinformationen über den UN-Gipfel zum Thema „nicht übertragbare Krankheiten“ erhalten Sie unter: www.ncdalliance.org
Literaturhinweise
- WCRF/AICR Schätzungen zur Prävention: Aktualisierung der Schätzungen laut Bericht zur Gesundheitspolitik 2009. 2011, World Cancer Research Fund.
- WHO. Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health (Empfehlungen für die gesundheitsfördernde körperliche Betätigung).
- WHO, 2007: „The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer“ (Der Kampf der Weltgesundheitsorganisation gegen Krebs). Erhältlich unter: http://www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf. Letzte Aktualisierung: Jan. 2011.
- Cancer Research UK. Erhältlich unter: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Letzte Aktualisierung: Jan. 2011.
Wenn Sie an Zusatzinformationen interessiert sind, wenden Sie sich bitte an:
Des millions de cas de cancer sont évitables – les facteurs liés au mode de vie sont la clé pour sauver des vies
Publication des données les plus récentes sur la préventabilité du cancer comme point d’orgue de la journée mondiale contre le cancer
GENÈVE, Suisse, le 4 février 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Au cours de la journée mondiale contre le cancer, de nouvelles preuves provenant de sources indépendantes confirment que la tendance mondiale croissante des modes de vie malsains et sédentaires est responsable de l’exposition de millions de personnes à un risque élevé de cancer.
Les nouveaux chiffres publiés aujourd’hui par le réseau international du Fonds Mondial de Recherche contre le Cancer (FMRC) suggèrent que, dans un certain nombre de pays, des changements du mode de vie (y compris le maintien d’un poids normal), une alimentation saine et la pratique d’une activité physique régulière, peuvent réduire d’un tiers le risque de développer un cancer courant.1
Ces résultats sont par ailleurs confortés par les nouvelles Recommandations mondiales en matière d'activité physique pour la santé2 de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS). Ce rapport clé réaffirme qu’une activité physique régulière est potentiellement à même de prévenir des maladies, telles que les cancers du sein et du colon, les maladies cardiovasculaires ou encore les diabètes. Ce rapport, visant trois groupes d’âge (5 à 17 ans, 18 à 64 ans et les plus de 65 ans), fournit des recommandations concrètes quant aux niveaux des activités physiques nécessaires pour rester en bonne santé2. Ces recommandations sont tout particulièrement utiles pour les pays en voie de développement où les directives nationales en matière d’activité physique sont rares.
« L’activité physique est recommandée pour les personnes de tous âges en vue de réduire les risques de certains types de cancers et d’autres maladies non transmissibles », affirme le Dr Tim Armstrong, du Département des Maladies Chroniques et de Promotion de la Santé de l’OMS. « Pour améliorer leur état de santé et prévenir différentes maladies, les adultes devraient s’adonner à des activités physiques modérées au moins 150 minutes par semaine. À cette fin, il suffit de faire une promenade de 30 minutes cinq fois par semaine ou de se rendre chaque jour à son travail à bicyclette. »
Des éléments probants montrent par ailleurs que d’autres initiatives visant un mode de vie sain sont essentielles pour réduire le risque de cancer. Arrêter de fumer, éviter l’exposition au tabagisme passif, éviter la surexposition au soleil et se protéger des infections cancéreuses sont quelques exemples d’initiatives. Afin de contribuer à la lutte contre l’épidémie de cancer à l’échelle mondiale, l’Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) exhorte les personnes à agir et à soutenir la Déclaration mondiale sur le cancer via le site www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration.
L’adhésion à cette déclaration aidera l’UICC dans ses efforts de motivation des leaders mondiaux à adopter des lignes directrices réalistes en matière de prévention du cancer à l’occasion du Sommet des Nations Unies sur les Maladies Non Transmissibles qui se tiendra en septembre 2011. Depuis 1947, l’Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies n’a organisé qu’une seule session spéciale dédiée à la santé. Il va sans dire que l’annonce du sommet de 2011 constitue une étape sans précédent dans la lutte contre le cancer.
Information documentaire
À propos du cancer
Le cancer est la principale cause de mortalité au monde et son incidence ne cesse de croître. Chaque année, 12,7 millions de personnes découvrent qu’elles sont atteintes d’un cancer et 7,6 millions d’individus meurent des suites de cette maladie. Des informations probantes démontrent que 30 à 40 % de tous les décès dus aux cancers peuvent être évités3 et qu’un tiers des cancers peuvent être guéris s’ils sont diagnostiqués et traités à un stade précoce.
À ce jour, quelques 200 types de cancer sont connus4. Comme la plupart des maladies, le cancer est multifactoriel, ce qui signifie qu’il n’existe pas une cause unique pour chaque type de cancer. Cependant, certains modes de vie contrôlés et sains, ainsi que des facteurs environnementaux, sont également connus pour déclencher des cancers. Pour de plus amples informations sur les initiatives visant un mode de vie sain, consultez le site : www.worldcancerday.org/prevention.
À propos de l’UICC
L’Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) est la principale organisation non gouvernementale internationale dédiée à la prévention et à la lutte contre le cancer dans le monde. L’UICC a pour mission d’éradiquer le cancer en tant que maladie mortelle pour les générations futures. Fondée en 1933, l’UICC rassemble 400 organisations membres, spécialisées et engagées dans la lutte contre le cancer, et réparties dans plus de 120 pays à travers le monde. L’UICC est une organisation à but non lucratif, apolitique et non confessionnelle. Son siège est établi à Genève en Suisse. Pour de plus amples informations, consultez le site www.uicc.org ou rejoignez-nous sur Facebook via le lien www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136.
À propos de la Déclaration mondiale contre le cancer
La Déclaration mondiale contre le cancer est un outil permettant de sensibiliser les leaders gouvernementaux et les décideurs en matière de santé afin d’alléger considérablement le fardeau mondial du cancer d’ici 2020. Elle représente un consensus entre des représentants des gouvernements, des experts en santé publique et des porte-paroles de la lutte contre le cancer du monde entier déterminés à éradiquer le cancer en tant que maladie mortelle pour les générations futures.
La déclaration définit 11 objectifs devant être atteints d’ici 2020, parmi lesquels la baisse significative à l’échelle mondiale de la consommation du tabac, de l’obésité et de la consommation d'alcool, les programmes universels de vaccination contre l'hépatite B et le virus du papillome humain (VPH) pour éviter le cancer du foie et du col de l’utérus, la disponibilité universelle d‘analgésiques, ainsi que la dissipation des mythes et idées fausses au sujet de cette maladie. En sa qualité de gardien de la déclaration, l’UICC encourage les actions prioritaires visant à atteindre les objectifs de la déclaration à un niveau local et international, tout en soutenant une réponse globale à l’échelle planétaire. Pour de plus amples informations, consultez le site www.uicc.org/declaration.
À propos du Sommet des Nations Unies sur les maladies non transmissibles
En mai 2010, l’Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies a adopté à l’unanimité une résolution sur la prévention et la lutte contre les Maladies Non Transmissibles (MNT). À cette occasion, elle a initié un Sommet des Nations Unies sur les MNT qui se tiendra les 19 et 20 septembre 2011 à New York. Ce sommet abordera la prévention et la lutte contre le cancer, les maladies cardiovasculaires, les maladies respiratoires chroniques et les diabètes qui représentent à eux seuls 60 % (35 millions) des décès dans le monde. Les pays en voie de développement paient le plus lourd tribut avec 80 % (28 millions) des décès. De ce fait, les MNT constituent un risque majeur pour le développement mondial et la croissance économique. Pour de plus amples informations sur le sommet MNT, consultez le site www.ncdalliance.org.
Références
- Estimation du FMRC / AICR relatives à la préventabilité : mise à jour des estimations présentées dans le rapport de 2009 sur la politique, 2011, Fonds Mondial de Recherche contre le Cancer.
- OMS. Recommandations en matière d'activité physique pour la santé
- OMS, 2007 : ‘The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer’ (La lutte contre le cancer menée par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé), disponible via le lien http://www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf. Dernier accès : janv. 2011
- Cancer Research UK (Centre de recherche pour la lutte contre le cancer), disponible sur le site : http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Dernier accès : janv. 2011
Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez contacter :
Cerca de 61 mil casos de câncer mais comuns são evitáveis no Brasil anualmente — estilo de vida é fundamental para salvar vidas
Recentes dados de prevenibilidade do câncer são divulgados para marcar o Dia Mundial do Câncer
GENEBRA, Suíça, 04 de fevereiro de 2011 /PRNewswire/ — No Dia Mundial do Câncer, novas estimativas publicadas hoje pelo Fundo Mundial para Pesquisas de Câncer (WCRF, na sigla em inglês), mostram que com a ingestão de uma dieta variada e saudável, a realização de atividade física regular e limitações na ingestão de álcool, cerca de 61 mil casos de câncer poderiam ser evitados todos os anos.1
Adotando essas simples mudanças com o intuito de se ter um estilo de vida saudável, uma quantidade significativa de cânceres comuns no Brasil poderia ser evitada, incluindo-se neste grupo o câncer de mama (28% dos casos), de estômago (41% dos casos) e de intestino (37% dos casos).1
"É lamentável que, mesmo em 2011, as pessoas estejam morrendo de tipos de cânceres que poderiam ser evitados por meio da adoção de dietas saudáveis, exercícios e outras iniciativas de vida saudável. Ainda temos uma chance de reverter o crescimento do câncer no Brasil antes que seja tarde demais, aperfeiçoando os programas já existentes e estabelecendo novas medidas no sentido de inserir entre as prioridades de saúde pública a conscientização e o apoio na prevenção do câncer. Nos últimos anos, temos trabalhado nesse sentido, particularmente por meio do Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo, responsável por reduzir a prevalência do tabagismo no Brasil de 34% para 17%”. comenta Dr. Luiz Santini, Diretor Geral do Instituto Nacional de Câncer no Brasil.
Estes resultados são ainda corroborados pelas novas Recomendações Mundiais sobre Atividade Física para a Saúde da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS).2 O relatório da OMS reforça que atividades físicas regulares podem prevenir muitas doenças, como câncer de mama e de cólon, doenças cardiovasculares e diabetes. O relatório aborda três faixas etárias (5-17 anos, 18-64 anos e 65 anos em diante) e fornece recomendações concretas para os níveis de atividade física necessários para a saúde2. Essas recomendações são úteis principalmente para países de baixa e média renda, que possuem poucas diretrizes nacionais sobre atividade física.
“A atividade física é recomendada para pessoas de todas as idades, como forma de reduzir os riscos de certos tipos de cânceres e outras doenças não-transmissíveis”, declara o Dr. Tim Armstrong, do Departamento de Doenças Crônicas e Promoção da Saúde da OMS. “A fim de melhorar a saúde e prevenir diversas doenças, os adultos devem fazer pelo menos 150 minutos de atividade física moderada ao longo da semana. Essa meta pode ser alcançada simplesmente caminhando por 30 minutos cinco vezes por semana ou indo de bicicleta para o trabalho diariamente”.
Há também fortes evidências de que outras iniciativas de vida saudável são vitais para reduzir o risco de câncer, como parar de fumar, evitar a exposição ao fumo passivo e a exposição excessiva ao sol e proteger-se contra infecções que podem causar câncer. Para ajudar a combater a epidemia global do câncer, a União Internacional de Controle do Câncer (UICC) solicita que os brasileiros tomem medidas e apoiem a Declaração Mundial do Câncer acessando o site www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration.
A assinatura da Declaração ajudará a UICC em seu esforço para motivar os líderes globais a definirem diretrizes realistas e exequíveis para a prevenção do câncer durante o Encontro das Nações Unidas sobre Doenças Não-Transmissíveis, a ser realizado em setembro de 2011. Desde 1947, foi realizada apenas uma sessão especial da Assembleia Geral das Nações Unidas voltada para a saúde; o anúncio do encontro de 2011 é um passo inédito na luta contra o câncer.
“Dê seu apoio ao Dia Mundial do Câncer assinando a Declaração Mundial do Câncer e nos ajude a alcançar a meta de um milhão de mantenedores em favor de um Mundo Livre do Câncer. Com pessoas, governos e tomadores de decisão trabalhando em conjunto, poderemos atenuar o número de casos de câncer no mundo, tanto agora quanto para as gerações futuras”, resume o Dr. Eduardo Cazap, Presidente da UICC.
Informações gerais
O câncer é uma das principais causas de óbito no mundo e sua incidência continua aumentando. A cada ano, 12,7 milhões de pessoas descobrem que têm câncer e 7,6 milhões de pessoas morrem da doença.
Estudos mostram que 30-40% dos casos de óbito por câncer pode ser evitado3, e um terço desses casos podem ser curados por meio de diagnóstico e tratamento precoces.
Existem cerca de 200 tipos conhecidos de câncer. Como a maioria das doenças, o câncer é multifatorial, ou seja, não existe uma única causa para os tipos de câncer existentes. No entanto, alguns fatores, em sua grande maioria evitáveis ou controláveis, no que diz respeito ao estilo de vida e ao meio ambiente, também são conhecidos como causas do câncer. Para obter mais informações sobre as iniciativas de uma vida saudável, visite: www.worldcancerday.org/prevention
Sobre a UICC
A União Internacional de Controle do Câncer (UICC) é a principal organização internacional não-governamental dedicada à prevenção e ao controle global do câncer. A UICC tem como missão erradicar o câncer como uma doença nociva à vida dos seres humanos para as gerações futuras. Fundada em 1933, a UICC reúne 400 organizações especializadas e engajadas no controle do câncer, em mais de 120 países em todo o mundo. A UICC não possui fins lucrativos, é apolítica e não sectária. Sua sede fica em Genebra, na Suíça. Para obter mais informações, visite o site www.uicc.org ou junte-se a nós no Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136
Sobre a Declaração Mundial do Câncer
A Declaração Mundial do Câncer é uma ferramenta que ajuda a trazer a crescente incidência do câncer à atenção dos governantes e formuladores de políticas de saúde, a fim de reduzir significativamente o nível de incidência da doença até 2020. O documento representa um consenso entre as autoridades governamentais, especialistas em saúde pública e outras partes envolvidas nessa causa mundial no mundo inteiro e que se comprometeram a eliminar o câncer como uma doença nociva à vida e às futuras gerações.
A Declaração define 11 metas a serem alcançadas até 2020, entre as quais se destacam: reduções significativas no consumo mundial de tabaco, obesidade e consumo de álcool, programas universais de vacinação contra a hepatite B e vírus do papiloma humano (HPV) para evitar câncer do fígado e do colo do útero, a disponibilização universal de analgésicos eficazes e promover o esclarecimento de mitos e equívocos sobre o câncer. Como defensora da Declaração, a UICC estimula ações prioritárias para alcançar as metas da Declaração em nível local e nacional, além de promover uma resposta global ao redor do mundo. Para obter mais informações, visite – www.uicc.org/declaration
Sobre o encontro da ONU sobre doenças não transmissíveis
Em maio de 2010, a Assembleia Geral da ONU aprovou por unanimidade uma resolução que trata da prevenção e controle de doenças não transmissíveis (DNT), convocando um Encontro das Nações Unidas sobre DNT a se realizar nos dias 19 e 20 de setembro de 2011 em Nova York. O Encontro abordará a prevenção e controle do câncer, doenças cardiovasculares, doenças respiratórias crônicas e diabetes, que juntos respondem por 60% (35 milhões) dos óbitos que ocorrem no mundo. A maior incidência — 80% (28 milhões) — ocorre em países de baixa e média renda, tornando as DNT um risco considerável para o desenvolvimento global e o crescimento econômico. Para obter mais informações sobre o encontro sobre DNT, visite o site: www.ncdalliance.org
Referencias
- WCRF/AICR preventability estimates: Update to estimates produced for the 2009 Policy Report. 2011. World Cancer Research Fund
- WHO. Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health
- WHO, 2007: ‘The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer’. Available at: www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf Last accessed Jan 2011
- Cancer Research UK. Available from: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Last accessed Jan 2011
Para obter mais informações, entre em contato com:
每年中国有62万例常见癌症可以预防-对挽救生命起关键作用的生活方式
纪念世界癌症日最新癌症预防性数据发布
通过这些健康生活方式的改变，在中国相当一部分常见肿瘤如乳腺癌（20%的病例）、胃癌（33%的病例）以及子宫内膜癌（34%的病例）都可以得到预防。1
“很遗憾，即使已经到了2011年，人们仍然会死于原本通过饮食、锻炼和其它的健康生活方式就可以预防的癌症。我们仍旧有机会亡羊补牢，预防癌症在中国的爆发，因此我们敦促公众和政府可以组织癌症预防的教育，优先支持公众健康。”中国抗癌协会理事长郝希山这样评论道。
上述这些发现得到了世界卫生组织（WHO）发布的新一期《健康体育活动全球建议》的进一步支持。[ii]这一里程碑式的报告强调了定期体育活动可预防诸如乳腺癌、结肠癌、心血管疾病和糖尿病等多种类型的疾病。报告提出了三个年龄组（5-17岁年龄组、18-64岁年龄组及65岁及以上年龄组），并为其提供了保持健康所需要的体育活动水平的具体建议；2这些建议对没有现存体育活动指导方针的中低收入国家尤其具有帮助作用。
“体育活动作为预防某些癌症和其它非传染性疾病的方法可以向所有年龄段的人群推荐，”世卫组织慢性疾病和卫生促进部Tim Armstrong博士这样说道。“为了改善健康，预防疾病，成年人每周必须完成至少150分钟的中等强度的体育活动。可以通过30分钟的简单步行，每周5次，或通过骑自行车上班来完成这一目标”。
还有证据一致表明，其它的健康生活方式也可以降低癌症的风险，这些健康生活方式包括戒烟、避免二手烟吸入和过度日晒以及预防可导致癌症的感染等。为了帮助抵御全球的癌症流行，国际癌症控制联盟（UICC）敦促中国人民行动起来，支持《世界癌症宣言》，详见-www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration
签署这项宣言可帮助UICC动员各国领导人在2011年9月非传染性疾病联合国峰会上制定现实的，可以完成的肿瘤预防指导方针。自从1947年以来，联合国大会上只有一次特别会议是针对健康问题的；2011年峰会的宣言是向肿瘤宣战的史无前例的一步。
UICC主席Eduardo Cazap博士总结道：“签署世界癌症宣言，支持世界癌症日，帮助我们完成一百万支持者支持无癌世界的目标。通过世界范围内个人、政府和政策制定者的通力合作，我们有能力为我们及我们的后代减轻癌症的负累。”
背景信息
癌症简介
癌症是世界范围内引起死亡的主要原因，其发病率还在不断上升。每年有1270万人会发现自己患有癌症，有760万人因此死亡。有证据显示有30-40%的癌症死亡是可以预防的，[iii]而且有三分之一的癌症通过早期诊断和治疗可以治愈。
癌症的已知类型有200多种。[iv]和绝大多数疾病一样，癌症是一种多因素疾病，也就是说任何癌症的病因都不是单一的。然而，很明确一些可以自我控制或可以避免的生活方式和环境因素也是癌症的病因。更多有关健康生活方式的信息请访问：www.worldcancerday.org/prevention
UICC简介
国际癌症控制联盟（UICC）是一个国际非政府组织，主要致力于全球范围内的癌症预防和控制。UICC的任务是为我们的后代消灭癌症这种威胁人类生命的疾病。UICC成立于1933年，联合了世界范围内120个国家，专门致力于癌症的控制的400个成员组织。UICC是一个非盈利、非政治和非宗派组织，其总部设立于瑞士日内瓦。更多信息请访问www.uicc.org；或在Facebook上加入我们：
www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136。
世界癌症宣言简介
世界癌症宣言是一种帮助政府领导和卫生政策的制定者关注正在增长的癌症危机的工具，其目的是到2020年时显著减少全球癌症的负担。宣言代表着世界范围内的政府官员、公共健康专家和癌症倡议者的共识，这些人都以为我们的后代消灭癌症这种威胁人类生命的疾病为己任。
宣言共提出了要在2020年实现的11个目标，这些目标包括：显著降低全球烟草消费量，肥胖以及酒精摄入量、乙型肝炎和人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）疫苗全面接种计划，预防肝癌和子宫颈癌、在全世界范围内获得有效控制疼痛的药物治疗并驱除对癌症的神化和误解。作为宣言的发起人，UICC鼓励先期采取行动，在地方或国家范围内完成宣言的目标，并推进全球范围内的广泛回应。更多信息请访问：www.uicc.org/declaration。
联合国非传染性疾病高端会议简介
2010年5月，联合国大会一致通过预防和控制非传染性疾病（NCDs）的决议，宣布于2011年9月19至20日在纽约召开有关非传染性疾病的联合国峰会。该峰会将讨论预防和控制癌症、心血管疾病、慢性呼吸系统疾病和糖尿病，这些疾病共占全球死亡率的60%（3500万人）。最大的负担-80%（2800万人）-发生在中低收入国家，使非传染性疾病成为全球发展和经济增长的主要威胁。更多有关NCD峰会的信息请访问：www.ncdalliance.org
更多信息请联系，请联系：
UICC公共关系部
Leah Peyton
E-mail：leah.peyton@toniclc.com
电话：0044 207 798 9923 / 0044 7788 191 434
参考文献
[i] WCRF/AICR预防性评估：2009年政策报告评估更新。2011世界癌症研究基金会
[ii]
世界卫生组织，健康体育活动建议
[iii]
世界卫生组织，2007：“世界卫生组织对癌症的抵御”。见： http：//www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf. 最后访问于2011年Last
accessed Jan 2011年1月。
[iv]
英国癌症研究。见：http：//info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/.最后访问于2011年1月。
Se pueden prevenir millones de casos de cáncer: el estilo de vida es la clave para salvar vidas
Se han publicado los datos más recientes sobre la prevención del cáncer para señalar el Día Mundial contra el Cáncer
GINEBRA (Suiza), 4 de febrero de 2011 /PRNewswire/ — En el Día Mundial contra el Cáncer, nuevas evidencias independientes han confirmado que la continua tendencia global hacia un estilo de vida sedentario y poco saludable es la causa de que millones de personas se vean expuestas innecesariamente a un alto riesgo de cáncer.
Las nuevas estimaciones difundidas hoy por la red global World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) sugieren que, en diversos países, introducir cambios en el estilo de vida, como mantener un peso saludable, llevar una dieta sana y realizar ejercicio físico regularmente, podría reducir el riesgo de padecer cánceres comunes hasta en una tercera parte.1
Las nuevas Recomendaciones globales sobre la actividad física para la salud2 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) respaldan también estos resultados. Este informe confirma que la actividad física regular permite evitar muchas enfermedades, como cáncer de mama y colon, afecciones cardiovasculares y diabetes. El informe abarca tres grupos de edad (5-17 años, 18-64 años, y 65 años y más) y ofrece recomendaciones concretas sobre los niveles de actividad física necesarios para mantener un buen estado de salud; estas recomendaciones son especialmente útiles para países con ingresos medios y medios/bajos, donde existen pocas directrices nacionales sobre la actividad física.
"La actividad física está recomendada para personas de todas las edades como forma de reducir el riesgo de sufrir ciertos tipos de cáncer y otras enfermedades no transmisibles," afirma el doctor Tim Armstrong, del Departamento de Enfermedades Crónicas y Promoción de la Salud de la OMS. "Para mejorar su salud y prevenir varias enfermedades, los adultos deberían realizar al menos 150 minutos de actividad física moderada a la semana, lo que puede conseguirse caminando 30 minutos cinco veces por semana o yendo a trabajar en bicicleta a diario”.
También existen evidencias consistentes de que otras iniciativas de vida saludable son cruciales para reducir el riesgo de cáncer, como dejar el consumo de tabaco, evitar la exposición pasiva al humo, evitar una excesiva exposición al sol y protegerse contra infecciones que puedan causar cáncer. Para ayudar en la lucha contra la epidemia de cáncer global, la Unión Internacional contra el Cáncer (UICC) anima a todas las personas a actuar y apoyar la Declaración Mundial del Cáncer en www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration.
Firmar esta Declaración ayudará a la UICC en su tarea de motivar a los líderes mundiales a definir directivas realistas y viables para la prevención del cáncer durante la Cumbre de las Naciones Unidas sobre Enfermedades no Transmisibles en septiembre de 2011. Solo se ha celebrado una sesión especial de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas centrada en la salud desde 1947; el anuncio de la cumbre de 2011 supone un paso sin precedentes en la lucha contra el cáncer.
El doctor Eduardo Cazap, presidente de UICC, resume “Apoyen el Día Mundial contra el Cáncer firmando la Declaración Mundial del Cáncer y ayúdennos a alcanzar nuestro objetivo de conseguir un millón de apoyos para un mundo sin cáncer. Si las personas, los gobiernos y los responsables de redactar las políticas del mundo trabajan juntos, seremos capaces de reducir la lacra mundial del cáncer, ahora y para las generaciones futuras”.
Información contextual
Acerca del cáncer
El cáncer es una importante causa de mortalidad en todo el mundo y su incidencia sigue en aumento. Cada año, 12,7 millones de personas descubren que tienen cáncer y 7,6 millones mueren a causa de la enfermedad. Las pruebas muestran que es posible prevenir el 30-40% de todas las muertes por cáncer y una tercera parte pueden curarse con un diagnóstico temprano y un tratamiento apropiado.
Hay unos 200 tipos de cáncer conocidos4. Como la mayoría de las enfermedades, el cáncer es multifactorial, lo que significa que ningún tipo de cáncer tiene una sola causa. No obstante, se sabe que algunos factores medioambientales o de estilo de vida, que en su mayor parte pueden evitarse o controlarse, pueden causar cáncer. Para obtener más información sobre las iniciativas para una vida saludable, visite: www.worldcancerday.org/prevention
Acerca de la UICC
La Unión Internacional contra el Cáncer (UICC) es la principal organización internacional no gubernamental dedicada a la prevención y el control global del cáncer. La misión de la UICC consiste en erradicar el cáncer como enfermedad con una elevada mortalidad en las generaciones futuras. La UICC, fundada en 1933, aúna 400 organizaciones miembro, especializadas y comprometidas con el control del cáncer, en más de 120 países de todo el mundo. La UICC es una organización sin ánimo de lucro, apolítica y no sectaria. Su sede central está ubicada en Ginebra (Suiza). Para obtener más información, visite www.uicc.org o síganos en Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-Free-World/134386073255136
Acerca de la Declaración Mundial del Cáncer
La Declaración Mundial del Cáncer es una herramienta que ayuda a llamar la atención de los líderes y responsables de las políticas sanitarias sobre la creciente crisis del cáncer para reducir considerablemente esta lacra mundial antes de 2020. Representa un consenso entre agentes del gobierno, expertos en salud pública y luchadores contra el cáncer de todo el mundo comprometidos con la erradicación del cáncer como enfermedad con una elevada mortalidad en las generaciones futuras.
La declaración señala once objetivos que se propone alcanzar antes de 2020, como una importante reducción del tabaquismo, la obesidad y el consumo de alcohol global, programas universales de vacunación para la hepatitis B y el virus del papiloma humano (VPH) para prevenir el cáncer hepático y cervical, disponibilidad universal de analgésicos efectivos, además de disipar los mitos y prejuicios acerca del cáncer. Como custodio de la declaración, la UICC promueve acciones prioritarias para alcanzar los objetivos de la declaración a nivel local y nacional, además de fomentar una respuesta unificada en todo el mundo. Para obtener más información, visite www.uicc.org/declaration
Acerca de la reunión a alto nivel de la ONU sobre enfermedades no transmisibles
En mayo de 2010, la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas aprobó por unanimidad una resolución sobre la prevención y el control de enfermedades no transmisibles, convocando una cumbre de las Naciones Unidas que se celebrará los días 19 y 20 de septiembre de 2011 en Nueva York. La cumbre abordará la prevención y el control del cáncer, enfermedades cardiovasculares, afecciones respiratorias crónicas y diabetes, que en combinación representan el 60% (35 millones) de las muertes globales. La mayor proporción (el 80%, 28 millones) se produce en países de ingresos bajos y medios/bajos, lo que convierte a las enfermedades no transmisibles en un importante riesgo para el desarrollo global y el crecimiento económico. Para obtener más información acerca de la cumbre sobre enfermedades no transmisibles, visite: www.ncdalliance.org
Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con:
Referencias
- WCRF/AICR preventability estimates: Update to estimates produced for the 2009 Policy Report. 2011. World Cancer Research Fund.
- WHO. Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health
- WHO, 2007: ‘The World Health Organization’s Fight Against Cancer’. Available at: http://www.who.int/cancer/publicat/WHOCancerBrochure2007.FINALweb.pdf. Last accessed Jan 2011
- Cancer Research UK. Available from: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/. Last accessed Jan 2011
