Dear Editor,

WORLD Cancer Day is marked on 4th February, internationally, every year. It was established on 4th February, 2000 and it is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to spread awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment and on the other hand reducing fertility. What is cancer? In simple words cancer is a disease in which there is abnormal growth of cells with potential to harm and migrate to other parts of the body. There are more than 100 types of cancer: for example colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, etc. Can we actually prevent cancer? The simple answer is yes. More than one third of cancer cases can be prevented. Another third can be cured if detected early and treated properly.

We can prevent cancer by changing our and our loved ones’ lifestyles. For example, avoiding smoking, avoiding sun exposure, by exercising, by educating ourselves and others, by proper screening and diagnostic tests, and many more. Is cancer the end of the world? Having cancer does not mean the end of the world; in fact, it is a journey to a new life and beginning. Though cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, awareness, prevention, early detection by screening and proper treatment have saved millions of lives. As a medical student I encourage all my friends to educate loved ones to prevent cancer by early detection through screening, and pledge this World Cancer Day to make this world cancer-free.

Yours sincerely,

Harsh Vardhan Singh,

Medical Student, Lincoln American University