Cancer Care Ontario supports UICC in efforts to raise awareness for World Cancer Day

CANCER CARE ONTARIOFeb 4 2011

More action needed to reduce the global cancer burden

Cancer Care Ontario has joined with cancer organizations worldwide to support the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in its efforts to raise awareness for World Cancer Day. 

This year's theme, Cancer Can Be Prevented, stresses the importance of prevention and screening in battling the disease.  As part of World Cancer Day, the UICC is encouraging supporters to sign the World Cancer Declaration, which calls upon global leaders to reduce the global cancer burden by 2020.

This is a special year for the Declaration, as it will be presented to global leaders September 2011 at the first UN Summit for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).  The Declaration goal is to have 1 million signators in support of reducing the incidences of cancer across the globe.

Nowhere is that more important than in Ontario. 

"An estimated 45 per cent of men and 40 per cent of women will develop cancer in their lifetime, so we must ensure that the goals and initiatives outlined in the 2011-2015 Ontario Cancer Plan (OCP) are being used to prevent cancer," said Michael Sherar, President and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario.  "We encourage supporters to sign the Declaration in support of World Cancer Day so that we can reach the common goal of a cancer free world."

"Prevention and early detection are key to cancer control," said Dr. Linda Rabeneck, Vice-President, Prevention and Cancer Control. "This is because despite the relatively stable rates of new cancers, the total numbers of persons with a new diagnosis of cancer, and the total numbers of deaths continue to rise, as the Canadian population grows and ages."

Cancer Care Ontario continually improves cancer services so that fewer people get cancer and patients receive better care.