04th February 2012
Together it is possible - stand up and do something 1st February 2012

The Union for International Cancer Control, a health NGO, has traditionally set aside 4th February as World Cancer Day to raise awareness of the impact of cancer and to encourage partnerships between individuals and governments to address the harm done to our communities.
Cancer, a range of chronic diseases characterized by uncontrolled tissue growth, will affect 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women during their lifetime. It takes a tremendous toll on our communities and countries, through chronic illness and premature death, leaving homes without breadwinners, children without parents and parents without children.
In every country cancer is one of the top three killer diseases. Over half a million people die each month from cancer. In St. Lucia, an estimated 800 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year and at any one time there are likely to be up to 5000 people living with cancer in our communities. Our challenge is to reduce these numbers which will translate into healthier, stronger individuals with the best possible quality of life
It is recognized that up to 40% of all cancers are preventable. What is more, up to a third of cancers are curable through early detection and treatment.
Cancer prevention is scientific yet simple enough to allow individuals to take charge of their health, help to educate others and to push for policies that achieve change.
Cancer prevention for individuals and policy makers hinges around:

1) Controlling Tobacco
a) tobacco is the single most important cause of cancer
b) all conditions caused by tobacco are preventable
c) for individuals
i) if you smoke then attempt to quit
ii) if you can’t do it on your own, ask for help
iii) if you have never smoked, do not try it
iv) encourage others to do the same
v) lobby your policy makers to control tobacco

d) for policy makers
i) institute no smoking measures in all public places
ii) ensure that there is no advertising or promotion of tobacco
iii) increase taxes to discourage smoking by young and poor people who are affected most by tobacco diseases
iv) legislate the implementation of the only public health treaty – the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which is the law in St. Lucia
Saint Lucia is a party to the first ever international public health treaty which deals specifically with reducing the epidemic of tobacco-caused disease and premature death. The government has started the process of introducing legislation, which covers among other measures, protection of all individuals from the toxic effects of second hand smoke. We urge you to support these measures as we focus on protecting current and future generations from tobacco, based on a wealth of strong evidence from the past.

2) Healthy Eating
a) Unhealthy eating and being overweight are associated with common cancers such as those affecting the breast and large bowel. Apart from the overall improvement in general health, healthy eating forms the basis of a healthy body with a decrease in the risk of developing cancer.
b) Latest recommendations in 2007 Word Cancer Research Fund / American Institute of Cancer Research
(i) Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight
i. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day
ii. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat)
iii. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and pulses such as beans
iv. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats
v. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day
vi. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium)
vii. Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer