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Cancer Society launches special program on World Cancer Day 2020

Ali Shareef
04 February 2020, MVT 16:50
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih urges public to lead a healthy lifestyle to reduce risk of cancer. Photo: Cancer Society of Maldives
Ali Shareef
04 February 2020, MVT 16:50

Cancer Society of Maldives (CSM) launched programmes to celebrate the World Cancer Day, marked on February 4 every year globally, to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in the Maldives.

The theme for 2020, “I am and I will”, explores how everyone can, collectively and individually, do their part in reducing the global burden of cancer, and take action to reduce its impact.

CSM is a community based non-profit organisation working to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in the Maldives, and the only NGO operating in the country advocating specifically for cancer prevention, treatment and support.

In a statement released to mark World Cancer Day, the cancer society urged everyone at all levels—governments, organizations, communities, and individuals—to take action for real impact.

World Cancer Day is a “reminder for all of us, as individuals, organizations and the government, to work together to strengthen work to reduce the burden of cancer and support individuals and families going through cancer”, reads the statement.

CSM’s programme to mark World Cancer Day 2020 includes a range of activities aimed at engaging with the public, creating awareness, and promoting dialogue about cancer.

Under its '#IAmAndIWill' social media campaign, running from January 20 until February 10, individuals including members of the public, entertainment and sports personalities, businesses and policy makers can, through a CSM provided ‘Pledge Board’, share on social media their individual pledges, and make a personal commitment to reduce the impact of cancer.

CSM will also be distributing curated toolkits to schools, offices, and businesses, which contain information on organisation-level activities to prevent and reduce the impact of cancer in the country.

These toolkits will also contain the ‘Pledge Board’ to encourage individuals to make personal commitments at the workplace and be part of the #IAmAndIWill Social Media Campaign.

CSM will also hold an expert-led panel discussion on “Cancer Prevention and Control”, in partnership with Hulhumalé Development Corporation (HDC). Held in Hulhumalé Central Park on February 4, 2030hrs, the discussion will be live-streamed on social media and screened live at different locations in Male’ and across the country.

Dubbed ‘Onco-Spectre 2.0’, organised in partnership with State Trading Organisation (STO) and Dr. Reddy’s, is a 3-day symposium held from February 2-4, engaging a range of stakeholders in the health sector.

“Accelerating Access to Improve Quality of Cancer Care” conference held on February 2, brought in expert speakers from around the world to join local doctors from Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Hulhumale’ Hospital, and ADK Hospital. A training for nurses from hospitals in Malé, focused on palliative care, was also held on February 3.

Planned activities include a live-streamed conference on cancer and child health, targeted at school senior management and health officers, which will be held on February 4, at 2030hrs in Hotel JEN, following which a session on “Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers”, focusing on patients and survivors with expert speakers on cancer, palliative care and importance of psychosocial support will be held, with an opportunity for questions and answers from experts.

According to World Health Organisation, in 2018, 17 percent of all non-communicable disease related deaths in Maldives were related to cancer.

Records from Aasandha and National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) show that oral cancer is the most common form of cancer in the Maldives.

The most common types of cancer in males are oral cancer, lung cancer, and prostrate cancer, while females are most commonly diagnosed with breast cancer, oral cancer and cervical cancer, according to HPA.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018.

Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22 percent of cancer deaths worldwide.

Between 30–50 percent of cancer related deaths are preventable by avoiding risk factors such as the use of tobacco, areca nut, and engaging in a healthier lifestyle such as increased physical activity and adopting a healthier diet.

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