The federal government estimates that nearly two million Americans were diagnosed with cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) during 2023, and that more than 600,000 died from their disease. Research shows that more than 40 percent of these cases and nearly half of the deaths can be attributed to preventable causes – smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun, among others.
This means that steps such as quitting smoking (or never starting in the first place), maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and getting vaccinated against the pathogens that cause certain cancers, can dramatically reduce your risk of cancer in many cases.
This year’s theme for World Cancer Day is “Close The Gap.” The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) calls on citizens and organizations around the world to promote health equity, enhance cancer service accessibility, reduce disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, to finally close the care gap.
Learn more at World Cancer Day.