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Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health
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World Cancer Day
February 4, 2011
Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another. World Cancer Day is dedicated to raising awareness of how to prevent cancer and avoid the common causes of cancer.
Leading international research shows we can prevent a third of all cases of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and oesophageal cancer with good diet, physical activity, and weight control. We can prevent another third of cancers - including lung and related cancers - by avoiding smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke.
To reduce your risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases:
- eat a healthy diet
- increase
physical activity - maintain a healthy weight
- minimize exposure to the sun and to environmental hazards
- not smoking and avoiding second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke.
There's more good news: we can benefit from regular screening, such as mammograms for breast cancer and lab tests for colon cancer, which can help detect these cancers before symptoms appear or in time to slow or stop the disease. Screening can also include teaching people to recognize possible symptoms and to know when to see a doctor. Earlier detection makes treatment more successful and lowers the number of cancer-related deaths.
Last fall, Canada's Ministers of Health agreed to work together to promote health and make prevention of disease, disability, and injury top priorities. Through the Declaration on Prevention and Promotion, Ministers recognized that promoting health and preventing disease are everyone's business, and can help all Canadians live longer, healthier lives.
Since more than 75,000 Canadians lose their lives to this disease every year, research is very important. Last year, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research provided $159 million in funding to Canada's exceptional cancer researchers.
Our government has also invested in a Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer implements the Strategy by encouraging governments, cancer experts, charitable organizations, patients and survivors to accelerate their efforts to prevent and control cancer.
On World Cancer Day, I encourage Canadians to discover or rediscover how to prevent cancer, the value of screening, and the many tools we can use to keep us cancer free.
Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada
