World Cancer Awareness Day-February 4

Cancer is a dreaded disease. There is lot of stigma, prejudice, lack of information, misinformation, lack of awareness which makes this even more dreaded disease. The media also unknowingly plays role in perpetuating certain biases. Whenever a person dies of cancer it is always mentioned that she/he dies of cancer. Celebrities and laymen both have it mentioned in their obituary that they died of cancer. This creates a perception, observational bias that cancer always results in death. This is aggravated by the fact that those living with cancer are loathe to come out and claim that they are cancer survivors. There are few exceptions but they are exceptions.
On Cancer Day multiple agencies worldwide are trying to dispel myths surrounding cancer. The theme this year is Cancer-Did You Know?

Myth 1: Cancer is just a health issue

Myth 2: Cancer is a disease of the elderly, wealthy and developed countries.

Myth 3: Cancer is death sentence

Myth 4: Cancer is my fate

Tremendous effort is required to dispel these and other myths surrounding cancer.

Around 33 to 35 percent of people who smoke believe smoking's detrimental effects are exaggerated. Developing countries are at an increased risk for burden and death from cancer. Cancer treatment in past few decades has improved survival in many cancers. Early diagnosis and better therapies with multimodality collaboration has made difference to many patients. There is lot of progress still to be made. Foremost is in prevention  awareness, and educating each and everyone.
Let us all work towards a healthy present and future.

1. http://download.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanonc/PIIS1470204513700275.pdf?id=4d037fefcb72946c:-1bac8636:13ca10773a7:-15d91359914026138

2.http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS1470204511702984/table?tableid=tbl1&tableidtype=table_id&sectionType=darkBlue

3. http://www.worldcancerday.org/