World Cancer Day 2019

World Cancer Day is an opportunity for you to learn more, look after your body, and help others.

This year’s theme is ‘I Am And I Will’, encouraging people to make a personal commitment – individuals can change the future of cancer.

Taking place every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day unites the world’s population to improve cancer outcomes.

Here is what you can do.

I am reducing my cancer risk

Cancer does not discriminate in who it impacts, but living a healthy lifestyle can change your chance of getting the disease.

Here are some of the everyday lifestyle choices everyone can make that will reduce the risk of cancer:

• Stop smoking, or help someone else quit – tobacco smoke is the largest cause of preventable death and disease in NSW.
• ​Reduce alcohol intake – daily use can increase the risk of several key cancers.
• Maintain a healthy body weight – being overweight or obese can increase your risk of many common cancers.
• Exercise regularly
• Eat well and maintain a healthy diet
• Use five methods of skin protection – sun safety can stop 95 per cent of melanomas.

I am learning more about cancer

One in two people in NSW will be impacted by cancer. Learning more about the disease can help you cope with a diagnosis, or help a colleague, friend or family member.

Some of the important things everyone can learn include:

• What is cancer?
• What causes cancer?
• What are the symptoms of cancer?
• What are the different stages of cancer?
• How do I manage my cancer care?

I am improving my chances of finding cancer early

Early detection of cancer can completely change a person’s outlook. It can mean more treatment options, and better outcomes.

Cancer screening can help find cancers early, in some cases before you even have any symptoms. Find out what’s available in NSW:

• Screen for bowel cancer - if detected early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90% of cases.
• Screen for breast cancer – one in seven women in NSW will develop breast cancer, but early detection makes a difference.
• Screen for cervical cancer – with the new Cervical Screening Test and HPV vaccine, it is one of the most preventable cancers.
• Listen out for lung cancer – lung cancer is the most common cancer in NSW; learning the symptoms is important for everyone.
• Speak to your GP if you have any concerns.