International Union Against Cancer - World Cancer Campaign 2007-2008

Citation

(2007), "International Union Against Cancer - World Cancer Campaign 2007-2008", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 20 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2007.06220cab.002

International Union Against Cancer - World Cancer Campaign 2007-2008

International Union Against Cancer – World Cancer Campaign 2007 – 2008

“Today’s children, tomorrow’s world”

Keywords: Patient information, Healthcare education, Healthcare partnerships

Many people around the world believe that cancer is fate – just something that happens to them if they are unlucky. They believe that they have no control over their chances of developing a cancer.

In fact, more than one-third of all cancer cases worldwide – almost four million cases each year – can be prevented if we act on what we already know and apply that knowledge in our daily behavior. Tobacco use, diet, nutrition and exercise, sun safety and vaccination against cancer-causing viruses all play a role in influencing cancer risk. Simple changes in lifestyle can be taken to reduce cancer risk.

The aim of the “Today’s children, tomorrow’s world” campaign is to scale up awareness of what we can do to prevent cancer and to change people’s behavior in that light.

Healthy habits established early in life have a significant impact in later years. Behavior is already formed before adolescence. The environment in which children grow up – at home, in school, and in the community – powerfully influences their behavior later on, whether this regards tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke, diet and physical activity, or smart behavior in the sun. Policymakers’ decisions about cancer vaccination at an early age determine how far children and young people will be protected against cancers of the liver or cervix.

For all these reasons, the “Today’s children, tomorrow’s world” campaign will focus on the young.

Parents have a key role in influencing healthy habits in their children. We need to help parents to understand the long-terms benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to engage them as partners in cancer prevention activities that start early in life.

From a prevention perspective, there is strong justification for focusing the campaign on four main cancer-causing factors:

1. 1.

   tobacco and tobacco-free environments;

2. 2.

   diet, alcohol and exercise;

3. 3.

   preventing infections that may cause cancer; and

4. 4.

   being sun smart.

The campaign message globally consists of four key precepts:

1. 1.

   provide a smoke-free environment for children (“no smoking in homes”);

2. 2.

   encourage an energy-balanced lifestyle (regular physical activity and low-fat diet; avoid obesity);

3. 3.

   learn the facts about vaccinations (HBV and HPV); and

4. 4.

   teach your children to be sun-smart.

In the course of this campaign, UICC, its member organizations and its partners throughout the world will engage in awareness-building, information-sharing, educational activities and community mobilization.

For further information contact: www.uicc.org/