Cancer now kills more people in the world, and in lower- and middle-income nations, than the combined total of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Lung, stomach, colorectal and breast cancer are the most common cancer killers worldwide.
World Cancer Day is recognized on February 4th, a good time for us to pause and realize that cancer—including colorectal cancer–is not just a disease of rich and privileged nations. It affects our neighbors across the world, and yes, we can do something about it.
Some startling facts:
- About 47% of cancer cases and 55% of cancer deaths occur in less developed regions of the world.
- By 2030, 60-70% of the estimated 21.4 million new cancer cases per year are expected to occur in developing countries.
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) today announced that 1.5 million lives could be saved every year if decisive measures are taken:
- Investing in cancer prevention and early detection of cancer is cheaper than dealing with the consequences. The worldwide cost of cancer will reach about $458 billion (USD) per year in 2030, yet it would cost only $2 billion per year to implement strategies known to significantly decrease cancer (i.e., efforts to change tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity).
- Even basic pain relief is unavailable to millions. Fully 90% of opiod painkillers (e.g., morphine) are used by just five regions (the U.S., western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) with less than 10% used by 80% of the world population, the UICC said. In fact, it’s illegal to import narcotic painkillers to 25 nations—including many in Africa.
Let’s activate our Fight Colorectal Cancer community and all our friends. Get more facts and some simple ways to fight myths and spread the word .
Sources: http://www.worldcancerday.org/, and Feb 4. USA Today
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