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26 January 2005

The Department of Health and CANSA – in a first-ever national collaboration with most organizations working in the field of cancer – will observe World Cancer Day on Friday, 4 February 2005.

Cancer is a public health problem worldwide. It affects all people: young and old, the rich and poor; men, women and children. In the same token cancer is also potentially the most preventable and curable of all the major life-threatening diseases.

Globally more than 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year and it is estimated that there will be 15 million new cases every year by 2020. Cancer causes 6 million deaths every year - that is – 12% of deaths worldwide.

Chronic diseases, including cancer, are on the increase internationally and in South Africa, due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. In South Africa approximately 1 in 4 people may become a cancer statistic in their lifetime and almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by the disease.

The annual World Cancer Day (WCD) on 4 February 2005 marks the anniversary of the first World Summit Against Cancer held in Paris on 4 February 2000 where the Millennium Charter of Paris 2000 was launched.

It was in this Charter that 4 February was proclaimed World Cancer Day in perpetuity. Since the Paris Summit, cancer organizations worldwide have been using World Cancer Day as the platform to highlight the plight of people affected by cancer and to put cancer on the agendas of governments, policy makers, the media and communities around the world.

It is against this background that the Department of Health has identified the fight against chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis as a priority area over the next five years.

The five-year plan is premised on the development of meaningful strategies for preventing diseases such as cancer with special emphasis on healthy lifestyles including physical activity. The Department has embarked on an outreach promotion programme – Healthy Lifestyles – that advocates good diet, responsible alcohol consumption, regular exercise and avoiding tobacco use.

Prevention and early detection are the most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer. During WCD 2005, our focus will be on education and health promotion to prevent unnecessary suffering and death from cancer. Many people have little or no knowledge of this disease and often seek medical intervention when their cancer is in an advanced stage.

Therefore WCD should also be used as an opportunity to pay tribute to people and their families who have beaten cancer, as well as those lost to the disease. Their bravery and dignity should serve as an inspiration to us all.

As we observe World Cancer Day 2005, we call on South Africans to support the cause of cancer control by supporting the Department of Health and CANSA, and all the organizations working in this field.

We are committed to saving lives and preventing suffering, but need your support to be able to deliver vital services to cancer patients and their families.

We also call on you to take personal responsibility for your health by making healthy lifestyle choices. This calls for proactive measures like getting educated about cancer, and tested without delay.

In addition, support people suffering from cancer and lobby local clinics and health care service providers to make relevant services available where none exist. Stop smoking and encourage people around you to do the same.

Individuals, the business sector and faith-based organizations are encouraged to use the event as an opportunity to remember those living with cancer, or who have lost their lives to the disease, as part of the WCD 2005 observance.

Enquiries: Solly Mabotha
Department of Health
Chief Directorate: Communications
Cell: 083 678 9860

CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa)
Enquiries:
Joel Perry
Cell: 083 383 4294

Issued by: Department of Health
26 February 2005