World Cancer Day 2019: “I Am And I Will”

The World Cancer Day is celebrated each year on 4th February to raise awareness about cancer and work to make it a global health priority.

It is organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and according to the World Health Organization, 17 people die every minute from cancer.

This year’s theme is, “I am and I will” and is a call for everyone to play their part in fighting the burden of cancer.

Also, about 24.6 million people live with cancer worldwide, Naija News understands.

Medical experts say there are over 100 varieties of cancer and when detected early, can be treated through surgery.

Some lifestyles that can promote the growth of the disease include using tobacco products, obesity and not getting enough physical activity.

It can be combated by eating a healthy diet, and limiting alcohol intake.

Detection and treatment in Nigeria is still lagging behind.

This can be explained by many factors such as late detection, misdiagnosis, lack of medical expertise to treat patients, lack of chemotherapy facilities or radiotherapy machines, high cost of cancer management, little financial support from government and low awareness of the disease.