Press Release
NCSM SAYS NO TO CANCER
- Working Together Towards Curbing Cancer and Other Non-Communicable Diseases -
Kuala Lumpur, February 4 – The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) celebrates World Cancer Day 2012 with the initiative to work together in creating awareness on cancer and other non-communicable diseases. This year’s World Cancer Day themed ‘Together it is Possible’ is aimed at encouraging everyone to take responsibility for reducing the burden of premature deaths from cancer and other non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025.
According to Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram, NCSM President and Medical Director, NCSM participates in this global fight against cancer with the purpose of eliminating the perception that cancer is unavoidable and that nothing can be done about it. Cancer can be prevented by changing one’s lifestyle and through early detection.
“Adopting a healthy lifestyle and going for regular checkups and screenings can help prevent cancer and other non-communicable diseases. We, at NCSM, are looking at opportunities to work together with other organisations in the health, food industry and education sectors to educate people on embracing a healthy lifestyle in the fight to curb this epidemic.”
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, causing 7.6 million deaths in 2008, although it is estimated that 1/3 of these deaths could have been avoided with greater prevention, early detection and existing treatment. The most common cancers globally are lung (12.7%), breast (10.9%) followed by colorectal (9.8%). Lung cancer is the leading type of cancer in the world.
In Malaysia, cancer is the leading cause of death among medically certified deaths. 1 in 4 Malaysians have a lifetime risk of developing cancer whereby the majority of patients are found at the later stage of the disease. The most common cancers in Malaysia are breast (14%), colorectal (11.4%) followed by lung (11.3%). Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in Malaysia.
Non-communicable diseases, mainly cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes represent a leading threat to human health and development. These four diseases are the world’s biggest killers, causing an estimated 35 million deaths each year – 60% of all deaths globally – with 80% in low- and middle-income countries.
These diseases are largely preventable. Up to 80% of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and over a third of cancers could be prevented by eliminating shared risk factors, mainly tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. With improved disease management, this can reduce morbidity, disability, and death and contribute to better health, social and economic outcomes. By modifying common lifestyle risk factors, overall health and socio-economic burden can be dramatically reduced.
“We cannot look at cancer as just a disease. It is a societal and community problem which affects every aspect of our lives. Sometimes it is not us but a family member or a friend who is diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, we can still play our part and make a difference by being a pillar of support and helping them out in ways that we can,” says Dr. Saunthari.
In conjunction with World Cancer Day, NCSM has events lined up for the whole month of February which comprises a free workshop titled “Laughing + Relaxing Even Though I Have Cancer” on 11 Feb designed for people living with cancer, corporate talks at Microsoft and Association of British Women in Malaysia and free mammogram screenings and pap smear checks at the Women’s Cancer Detection Centre on 25 Feb (from 8:30am – 1pm for women age 45 years and above). Women may call the centre at 03-2698 7351 to make an appointment.
World Cancer Day, under the campaign slogan “Together It Is Possible”, is led by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), which unites over 300 member organisations in more than 100 countries in the global fight against cancer through the implementation of the World Cancer Declaration. The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is a member of UICC.
