Today, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that the number of cancer deaths around the world is expected to rise by 45 percent between 2007 to 2030. However, experts now claim that as many as 40 percent of cancers could be prevented by protecting against infections and by making lifestyle changes.
Experts Give Ways To Prevent Cancer
A report by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), a non-governmental organization based in Geneva, highlighted infections that can possibly lead to cancer. The report accentuated the importance of vaccines and lifestyle changes.
David Hill, the President of the International Union Against Cancer, stated that we now have the knowledge to prevent approximately 40 percent of cancers, but tragically, we are not using it.
International Union Against Cancer Urges Government And Policymakers To Take Action Now
The International Union Against Cancer emphasized the importance of using the vaccines that we now have for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer, and hepatitis B, which can lead to liver disease and cancer, as well as other illnesses that can be prevented with vaccines.
Other diseases that can also lead to cancer such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C and Epstein Barr have no vaccines. However, the International Union Against Cancer has made a call to policymakers to educate their communities so that preventive measures can be taken and simple changes in lifestyle can be made. Simple changes that would be of benefit include smoking ceasation, alcohol intake limitation, and sun exposure reduction.
As part of an effort to better educate communities and have governments and policymakers take preventive measures, the International Union Against Cancer launched their “Cancer Can Be Prevented Too” campaign on World Cancer Day, February 4, 2010.
Adequate Warnings Could Have Prevented High Incidence of Mesothelioma
Today, we are grateful that many experts are focusing on prevention and education as well as better treatments and cures for all types of cancers. For more than 30 years, the Galiher law firm has been successfully representing clients who have contracted mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, that could have been prevented if adequate warnings had been given and safety measures taken. We know that exposure to asbestos is the cause of mesothelioma, and that many asbestos-related illnesses could have been prevented if civilian shipyard workers and military personnel on U.S. Navy ships and submarines had been adequately warned of the dangers of asbestos. However, our clients were not provided with the information they needed to take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
In addition, others who lived near asbestos factories or mines were never educated as to the dangers of asbestos and never had the opportunity to take precautionary measure to protect themselves, and as a result, many have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses. Due to bystander exposure and environmental exposure, many unwary people have contracted and suffered from asbestos-related diseases. Unfortunately, the asbestos manufacturers knew of the hazards of asbestos but concealed their knowledge and continued to sell their products, resulting in an ongoing tragedy of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer.
