World Cancer Day was proclaimed by the International Union Against Cancer and is celebrated annually on February 4. The goal of this day worldwide is to raise awareness of cancer as one of the most terrible and devastating diseases of our modern civilization.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 100 types of cancer and the disease can develop in any part of the body. Millions of people die from cancer every year.
Worldwide, the five leading causes of cancer death in men are lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, and esophageal cancer; the five leading causes of cancer death in women are breast, lung, stomach, colorectal, and cervical cancer. In many developing countries, cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer.
Tobacco use is the single most significant preventable cause of cancer – more than 20% cancer deaths are attributable to tobacco use.
A fifth of all cancers worldwide are caused by chronic infections. For example, human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and hepatitis B virus causes liver cancer, both of which can be prevented by immunization.
According to WHO, from 30% to 50% cases of cancer can be avoided if you undergo annual preventive examinations for the purpose of early diagnosis of cancer diseases - cancer screening. This is a special type of medical examination that is carried out when the disease does not manifest itself with any symptoms.
Visit your family doctor once a year, he will tell you what tests and specialist consultations you need, and will give you a referral. Ukraine has a medical guarantee program that covers the most important examinations for early cancer diagnosis.
Cancers such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer are curable if detected early and treated properly.
Prevention and early detection of cancer does not require much effort: quit smoking, eat healthy food, do not abuse alcohol and tanning, give up solarium. Go through periodic screening examinations to detect cancer under the medical guarantee program. Be healthy!
Chuguyiv branch of the State Institution "Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine"«