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Report States 40% of Cancers Could Be Prevented

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29 Comments

A report released today by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) states that 40% of cancers could be prevented with vaccines and a healthy lifestyle. Cancer is the leading cause of death world-wide with 12 million diagnosed each year and 28 million currently living with cancer. The UICC says that vaccines for Hepatitis and HPV are paramount to preventing liver and cervical cancers. Along with vaccinations, simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating healthily, limiting alcohol intake and reducing sun exposure could drop the risk of cancer 40%.

This year’s World Cancer Day sponsored by UICC will focus on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. What steps do you currently take to lead a healthier life? Was it difficult to take those steps? What is your advice for others when starting a new healthy habit?

Joint Statement:
Increasing Access to Vaccines Will Reduce the Global Burden of Cancer

The GAVI Alliance, the American Cancer Society, and LIVESTRONG® welcome the campaign ?Cancer can be prevented, too? which the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is launching on February 4, World Cancer Day. On this occasion, the UICC will also release a new report on cancer prevention with a specific focus on cancers caused by infections. [www.worldcancercampaign.org]

We strongly support the message sent out by the International Union Against Cancer because we have evidence that some cancers can, indeed, be prevented. A very powerful tool in cancer prevention is within our reach through vaccines, a simple and cost-effective intervention. In the global fight against cancer, vaccines are achieving encouraging results and becoming increasingly important. After tobacco, infection from the hepatitis B virus, which causes chronic liver diseases, is one of the biggest preventable causes of cancer. Some two billion people worldwide are affected by hepatitis B, 97 percent of them in the developing world. Each year, 500,000 to 700,000 people die from chronic liver diseases including cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine immunisation of children, and more than 110 countries have adopted a policy of immunising all infants with the hepatitis B vaccine. Since the GAVI Alliance was launched in 2000, coverage rates for full immunisation with hepatitis B (three doses) in developing countries have risen from 20 percent to 68 percent. An estimated three million deaths from chronic liver diseases such as liver cancer will be prevented through these programmes so far.

A few years ago, a vaccine that can prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes more than 99% percent of cervical cancers, became available. Cervical cancer is diagnosed in nearly half a million women globally every year, and 270,000 women die each year from cervical cancer, 85 percent of them in developing countries. In Africa, a woman dies of cervical cancer every ten minutes.

Cervical cancer can be treated if it is detected early, but awareness is low, and screening programmes have proven difficult to carry out in developing countries. While it is important to continue exploring strategies for better screening, the new vaccine against HPV provides a highly effective means of preventing cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine is still too costly for those who need it most, but the two companies that manufacture it have committed to offering it in the developing world at significantly reduced prices. The rollout of the hepatitis B vaccine in developing countries has shown that vaccine prices inevitably decline with the rising demand that is pooled through GAVI. This should also happen with the HPV vaccine. Continuing deaths from cervical cancer in poor countries can be reduced now. Donor governments, many of which have recently introduced HPV vaccines themselves, must provide the funds to ensure HPV vaccines are available to those who need them most. Some cancers can be prevented ? through vaccination.

  • http://daronjackson.wordpress.com daron

    bikram’s yoga! i have never felt so strong and centered.

  • Jerry Weil

    Sorry but this report is bogus. Vaccines are not the answer – they cause more problems than anything, as do anything we ingest which is not made from food. As far as the statistics, that number is way off. I would venture to say 100% of cancers can be prevented. That’s right, 100%. 1 0 0. 100% preventable, 100% curable (if caught early enough).

  • Paul

    Started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 5 months ago. Incredible workout and shedding body fat like lightening. Plus learning a great martial art and self defense.

  • http://www.jesgraphicdesignco.com Jana Schweiss

    Well, I’m no saint, but I do take measures to protect my skin from sun damage. I eat healthy…by buying fresh & whole foods & cooking from scratch. I also run every day – and live a healthy active lifestyle. That’s not to say I don’t have a chance to get cancer in any form, but I feel better about myself by taking measures that I know will benefit my quality of life. It’s never easy to make changes in your life and try to eat better, exercise etc..but once you form the habit, it becomes much easier. I also do not smoke.

  • http://Www.hampsonsolutions.co.uk Jjjj86

    Been on Denise Hampsons weight loss workbook for the last 8 weeks, excellent motivator.

  • AllisonMN

    I am running my 1st half-marathon this year.

    I am also starting a blog focused on cooking and baking centered around the color and vibrancy of food. The color of the food we eat often contains nutrients that are good for us and I want to communicate that with the recipes I provide on the blog.

  • http://www.lonelygourmet.com Laurie Leiker

    I was diagnosed with cancer in November and have been undergoing chemo since the beginning of January. I never really exercised in my life but this has gotten me kick-started. I bought a Total Gym and have been working out on it as much as I can between chemo treatments. It really has helped abate the weakness and makes my outlook a whole lot brighter!

  • Charlie DeMarco

    I am a 2x survivor. I’ve read and follow the advice in the book ANTICANCER. Basically I eat an organic diet mostly of veggies and fruit, moderate exercise and streching to relax. And I keep my fingers crossed while trying to FULLY and open heartedly appreciate each day.

  • Charlie DeMarco

    Oh yeah, and I work with several groups working to end cancer especially the LiveStrong Foundation.

  • http://www.corecrossfit.com Chayet Pagano

    I started going to Crossfit 10 months ago and it has changed my life forever. The people are absolutely awesome very motivated and mucho comradery. I would recommend anyone to look into crossfit its an awesome way to get fit and healthy.

    Crossfit quote: “Your workout is my warm up!!!”

  • http://www.wake-upcoffee.com Asher Yaron

    I agree with Jerry Well…Well said, 100% of cancer is preventable with a healthy lifestyle but more important with healthy thoughts. Yes, our thoughts create our dis-ease. As far as lifestyle, an Organic, Raw, Vegan diet is the best way to stay healthy and dis-ease free!

  • Annemiekeh

    I started cycling again after ten years of not being allowed to do anything but the 5 hours of exercise a day to be able to walk. I will be a participant in the LiveStrong Challenge in Austin (leave it to me to pick the one year Lance won’t be there)and fully intend to do both the walk and the longest ride. Besides being very happy I can ride my bike again (just wondering where to leave my crutches)I feel a lot healthier and already lost 44 lbs (started on September 18th, know the date?).

  • http://www.davideboskee.com DaveB

    On July 4th of 2009 I watched the 1st stage of the tour de france on tv. I got up hopped on the scale and it read 230 lbs… OUCH! I was 54 years old and fat! I went to the garage, cleaned off my old Bianchi and rode for 10 miles. Now I’m riding 20o miles a week and I’m down to 185 lbs. I love it!

  • Facebook User

    Inspired by a friend who participated in last year’s Livestrong Challenge in Austin, I’ve decided to take up the activity of cycling and am training for next year’s Livestrong Challenge. Started biking to work and love that I’m getting healthy as well as helping out the environment, not using my diesel fuel car on a daily basis. I am also training to participate in my first 1/2 marathon in March. Being healthy is a great way to live life.

  • Jumpseat Jimmy

    Prevention?? OH, YES!!
    For 35 years I went without hat or sunscreen protection. Several years in the deserts of Saudi Arabia & Middle East countries.
    Recently (3 years) I have paid for my neglect. Nine (9) surgeries to remove skin cancers is really noi fun. Who would have known fourty years ago of the hazards.
    Take my advice, Please: Use proper protection.

  • Carolyn Campeau

    I completed my first 5K Walk at the Livestrong Walk in Austin TX in November 2009. I didn’t train for it due to a shoulder injury but I completed the walk in 54:45 – my goal was to complete it in my 55th year in under 55 minutes. I returned to Canada and joined a gym, hired a personal trainer and have set a goal of running the 5K in Austin in 2010!

    Thanks Lance and Livestrong!

  • blake

    You ask us all to share our experiences in dealing with the stigma of cancer two days ago, and then post messages like the ones from Asher Yaron and Jerry Well. That is truly unbelievable.

    I really am finished with following, and working to benefit, this Foundation.

  • http://www.ericandsarah.bodybyvi.com Eric Perry

    My wife and I are both cancer survivors in the past 10 years. New home, three kids (naturally), and plenty of life’s roller coaster in between. We have learned and re-learned that exercise and healthy diet are foremost the absolute critical part of anyones path. We also have added ViSalus Sciences Vi-Pak to help us with providing our bodies an advantadge in the fight against everything not so healthy. LIVE LIFE EVERYDAY.

  • http://rockintothegentlebeat.blogspot.com Ashley

    Despite talking for years about how running for fun is absurd, I have recently joined a “Running Club” comprised of people that I live and work with. I have recently moved to a rural area, removing the option of a gym for me, and I could feel the unhealthiness creeping in, so I bit the bullet and have started jogging 4-5 times a week at 6:30AM with a wonderful supportive group of people who know what a big deal it is for me to be out there with them at that time. I’m up to 4.5 miles each morning and can feel the difference in my life everyday!

  • Cindy T

    Well, I guess I’m one of the 40%, I did everything right and still got cancer. It was not hard to have a healthy lifestyle, I loved to eat right and exercise every day, my body was (and still is) my temple. Probably the one thing I’ve learned from having cancer is to not sweat the small stuff. Also, I have a new mission: Oral Cancer is not just for smokers. I’m proof of that. In addition to good screenings by your dentist, look in your mouth on a regular basis and investigate anything looking or feeling out of the ordinary.

  • Carolyn

    While there may be some cancers that are preventable with healthy lifestyles, we cannot lose sight of those that aren’t. Since I was a teenager I have eaten a nearly vegetarian diet, gotten regular exercise (5+ times per week), pursued ashtanga yoga, selected a career path that gives me a good balance between work and personal time, and generally done everything possible to be healthy. Yet in October 2008 at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer and spent the next 10 months undergoing treatment. Upon further research into my family history, it seems that I probably have a genetic disorder that makes me essentially unable to fight any cancer cells. These causes of cancer cannot be overlooked!

  • HH

    running! it makes me smile

  • Mike feinman

    I went to no meat chicken or dairy and I feel clean. I will eat
    free range but no other. And very rarely. Soy lattes! If I can’t
    understand the ingredients, I won’t eat it either! And exercise!

  • john

    geocaching great excuse to get out walking or on the bike.Gives me a aim to every walk/ride and the find is the challange not the excersise thats the bonaze

  • Angela Byers

    It’s not a vaccine. I can’t believe that for a minute. I think it’s our food mainly. The US has the highest cancer rate and our food intake is the worst worldwide. We pastuerize everything (take the nutrients and vitamins out), and we have a “pill” that can fix everything. The farmers are also using a “hormone” based pesticide now on our fields. FYI..I live around cornfields and so far I can name 3 women who have passed away from either breast or ovarian cancer, within a 5 mile radius. Questionable? Lets stop this! It’s running into our water systems and it’s staying in our food. Corn and Soy are in everything! Also Wheat! Please check out the Hallajuah Website. It’s based on a diet that I truely believe can prevent, heal, and keep away cancer. Please for the love of my mother who passed this on to me before her passing from Ovarian Cancer in 2009. She felt that this was an answer (but at her time it was too late…doctors misdiagnosed her for almost 1 year while her cancer was growing!).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Patricia-Scz/1469084304 Patricia Scz

    Whatever idea you have of God, you must be at peace with yourself. That is the principle of good emotional and physical health.

  • http://www.azsecurity.org/ Christi Johnson

    it seems like every time you blink there are new cancer statistics

  • http://millerclimb.blogspot.com/ Daniel Miller

    Dear Jerry and others who share his view,

    I think you’re exploring a very complex topic and erroneously placing blame.

    You should do some more research on your claims and the administrator of this blog should be more careful in allowing such comments.

    Sincerely,
    Daniel

  • http://livestrong.org Brooke McMillan (LAF Staff)

    I moderate blog comments and although we definitely disagree with Jerry’s comments, we feel strongly that all points of view can represented. As long as the individual stays on topic and is respectful of others we will post. We really appreciate your support.

    As an employee of LIVESTRONG we were asked to make commitments to improve our health and wellness. Check out the video on this post to see what staff have to say: http://livestrongblog.org/2010/02/04/take-action-on-world-cancer-day/