36 Health
THE HERALD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10 2017
SATURDAY, February 4, was
World Cancer Day. Cancer will kill more than eight
million people worldwide this year, which is equivalent to the entire population of New York. Half of these will be people of working age (30-69 years old). Under the campaign theme ‘We can.
I can.’ World Cancer Day represents a unique opportunity to draw attention to what can be done to address cancer, save millions of avoidable deaths and, in turn, support global economic growth and development. It is estimated that half of these
new cases will be preventable through improved education, knowledge of the symptoms of cancer, and the lifestyle factors that influence its development, such as diet, smoking, exercise and certain infectious agents. This year, millions were urged
to get active to help combat one of the world’s most deadly diseases, encouraging people to be more active - in every sense - in the fight against a disease that, in less than two decades, will directly affect up to 21.7 million people per year.
THE POWER OF SPORT The launch of World Cancer Day World Cancer Day harnessed the
power of sport by encouraging sports fans, organisations and personalities to use their voice and reach through the ‘Support through Sport’ initiative. Dr Cary Adams, Chief Executive
Officer, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) said: “This World Cancer Day we want to inspire individuals to play an active role in the fight against cancer, by being physically active. Around a third of all cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and leading a less sedentary lifestyle. "A large number of people also
find exercise to be of great benefit to their wellbeing either during or after treatment. The ‘We can. I can.’ campaign is in its second year and we hope to build on the success of last year and spread the message further than
coincided with calls to focus efforts on cancer prevention. Indeed, it was research that led to the identification of HPV as the causative agent for cervical cancer and the subsequent development of a HPV vaccine aimed at preventing this disease. Such breakthroughs will have far-
reaching benefits, for example, some African countries have the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the world. Elsewhere, advancements in
genetics are leading to the discovery of new genes or gene variants that predispose particular individuals to the development of a number of different cancer types, work that may have bearing on future population based screening programmes. Early diagnosis of cancer is critical for treatments to be most effective.
Jon Coles Deputy Editor
jon.coles@herald.email
ever.” Evidence shows that physical
activity significantly helps cancer patients, not only to manage the life altering side-effects of treatment such as fatigue, depression and heart damage, but also in reducing the risk of the disease worsening or recurring. Research shows, for example,
that a breast cancer patient’s risk of recurrence and of dying from the disease can be reduced by around 40 per cent by doing recommended levels of physical activity. Professor Sanchia Aranda, UICC
President said: “Anyone can get involved in sport, so it’s a great fit for World Cancer Day. Regular exercise is one of the most simple and fun ways that people worldwide can reduce their cancer risk. The messages around sport also link back to our cancer messages about the importance of healthy eating, supporting one another to achieve common goals and working together.”
CANCER PREVENTION
Asked for commitment on lung cancer: Andrew RT Davies
Initiatives involving countries around the world are seeking to identify the chief causes that lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
WALES LEADS THE WAY Cancer Research Wales contributes
to this vital research, through supporting the Welsh arm of truly collaborative international study. However, the cost of cancer treatment is spiralling, partly as a result of the introduction of newer and more expensive drugs and therapies that are designed to specifically target the molecular defects that drive tumour formation. The Wales Cancer Partnership is
working with Welsh Government on their commitment to improving the following priorities in Wales:
• Prevention • Early Diagnosis • Access to Treatment • Support through and beyond
Carwyn Jones: Huge progress being made treatment
With more than a third of all cancers
(up to 4.5 million per year) preventable through lifestyle interventions, the Partnership also calls on individuals to take responsibility for reducing their own cancer risk. On Thursday, February 9, members
of the Partnership led an event at Cardiff University at which the public were invited to go behind the scenes and visit a cutting-edge laboratory. The event, 'How do we develop
new cancer drugs?', explored how new cancer drugs are developed and offered a chance for people to hear from leading researchers and get hands on with the research. “World Cancer Day 2017 is a
chance to reflect on what we can all do improve cancer survival,” said Professor John Chester of the Wales Cancer Partnership. “Today is an opportunity to take action for yourself, for your organisation and for Wales. The Partnership brings together
twenty organisations fighting to beat this devastating disease. We hope that by working together we can improve outcomes for patients across Wales.”
CARWYN COMMENTS AND COMMITS
Speaking in the Senedd before
World Cancer Day, Carwyn Jones said: “Over the next 10 years there are two developments that people will find if they are diagnosed with cancer. Firstly, more and more people are ‘living with cancer’—that’s the phrase that is used—cancers that perhaps cannot be cured in the conventional sense of five years’ remission, but that actually allow people to live a normal life and don’t necessarily shorten their lives as a result, with the right level of treatment. Secondly, huge progress is being made. “We are at the forefront of the
development of cancer genetics and treatment in Wales and I want to make sure that more and more people have the opportunity to be rid of cancer in the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
