Someone is told they have cancer in the UK every two minutes. But a diagnosis is not the death sentence it once was. Dr Zak Uddin reports on the fight to beat cancer

WORLD Cancer Day is one of the biggest events in the diary of global health promotion. A record ten cancer charities come together to participate in the event in the hope of raising awareness of and funds for the fight against cancer not just throughout the UK, but worldwide.

This year it took part on a weekend so more people were free to participate in, and show their support for, events across the country and indeed across the globe.

World Cancer Day was originally conceived by the Union for International Cancer Control (IUCC), in support of the goals of the World Cancer Declaration 2008, which were “to significantly reduce illness and death by cancer by 2020”.

Certainly this is a tall order. The statistics for cancer make uncomfortable reading, with some sources quoting up to a one-in-two chance of getting some form of cancer in your lifetime. Cancer is now the biggest killer worldwide, having overtaken heart disease. In the UK there will be around 300,000 new diagnoses every year. To put that into perspective – one patient is given the life-changing news that they have cancer every two minutes. Our region, the North-East, saw almost 16,000 new cancer diagnoses last year.

Sadly, and almost predictably, the North-East is at the top of the UK’s cancer statistics. Dubbed the “cancer capital” of the United Kingdom, the incidence of cancer is ten per cent greater here than in London. Higher rates of deprivation, obesity and binge drinking have all been cited as the main reasons for these figures.

In spite of this bleak backdrop, there are many reasons to be positive. Put simply, a diagnosis of cancer may not be the automatic death sentence it once was. Cancer survival rates have doubled in the past 40 years, through a combination of greater public awareness and education, as well as robust screening programmes for some of the major cancers. However, it may be possible to turn the tide on this insidious disease even further. It is estimated that almost half of all cancers could be prevented with improved education and greater uptake of screening.

The organisers of World Cancer Day aim to raise the profile and understanding of cancer among governments as well as individuals, using the slogan “We Can, I Can”. Dialogue between cancer experts and those in government will hopefully lead to the provision of greater resources as well as policies and programmes that are known not only improve timely diagnosis of cancer, but also the patient’s cancer journey. A better journey leads to an improved outcome in terms of both mental and physical wellbeing, as well as longer survival.

The “I can” portion of the slogan relates to educating individuals as to the risk factors for cancer, recognising symptoms and signs of cancer, as well as the importance of screening programmes. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked with six forms of cancer, obesity with eight, and smoking with a whopping 12 different cancers. Research has shown that a third of common cancers could be prevented simply by healthy eating.

Despite the North-East having some of the worst cancer statistics in the UK, nonetheless it boasts some of the best resources in the country. The world-renowned Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which includes the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, based at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, has won numerous awards for its design as well as services. Many of the clinicians who work there are acknowledged as world leaders in their fields.

As an individual there is much you can do to help. Although cancer care costs millions, if not billions of pounds a year, a donation of just £17 will fund an hour of research into cancer.

Planning for the next World Cancer Day has already begun. Next year why not participate? There will be numerous events across the North East and you can even set up your own event to raise awareness of and funds for cancer research and treatment, as well as supporting those locally who are living with cancer, including their families and loved ones.

Put simply, a diagnosis of cancer may not be the death sentence it once was but everyone needs to play a part in taking the fight to the disease.

Useful websites: www.cancerresearchuk.org; www.mylifeline.org