World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day takes place every February and aims to unite people who have both fought the disease and survived or know someone who has died from cancer. Each year over 12.7 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million people die from the disease.

The aim is to raise awareness and explore how we can implement what we already know in the areas of prevention, early detection, treatment and care, and in turn, open up to the exciting prospect that we can impact the global cancer burden – for the better. This year’s specific aim is in ensuring the availability of, and access to, early detection programmes for cancer. All people have the right to access quality, effective cancer treatment and services on equal terms, regardless of geography and without suffering economic hardship as a consequence. It has also been highlighted that it is –not beyond us. Everyone is at risk no matter where they are in the world. Cancer can have a serious impact on a person’s emotional, physical and mental states and cancer survivors are at risk of diminished quality of life up to several years after diagnosis The physiological effects of some cancer treatments, such as impaired fertility, sexual dysfunction, hair loss and weight gain can also result in stigma and discrimination and in some cases can be the cause of partner rejection. The psychological toll of caring for a person living with cancer can also be enormous, with many carers experiencing distress and declines in their physical and mental health. In recent months, changes have been seen in terms of pioneering alternative treatments (such as ultrasound therapy) and tests, which if perfected will see considerable improvement in the care that patients receive while suffering from this horrible disease. To help raise money and awareness visit www.cancerresearchuk.org To find out more about protecting yourself from cancer through health and wellbeing visit www.nhs.uk