Published On: February 4, 2019
Every year on February 4, people across the globe unite to raise awareness and take action for World Cancer Day.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1 in 2 Canadians is expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in four Canadians will die from the disease. Between now and 2030, there is expected to be a dramatic increase in the number of cancers diagnosed in Canada. This is primarily due to the growing and aging population, as the majority of new cancer cases diagnosed in 2017 were among Canadians 50 years of age and older.
So, what if there was something you could do today that would make a drastic impact on your health in the future. Would you do it? Approximately half of all cancers can either be prevented or detected early before they become a serious health problem.
DID YOU KNOW?
As many as half of all cancers in Ontario can be prevented by eliminating known risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and lack of physical activity.
- People who eat more red meat are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer;
- Women who smoke are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer;
- Workplace exposures may increase the risk of developing lung cancer; and
- Women who consume alcohol are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH
Learn how you can make small lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing cancer:
For more information, visit Cancer Care Ontario or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Video courtesy of the South West Regional Cancer Program.