Accra, Feb.4, GNA - The Cancer Society of Ghana (CSG) and Africa Oxf= ord Cancer Consortium (AFROX), have urged low and middle income countries to take preventive action against the worldwide cancer burden. New diagnoses of cancer are expected to reach 26 million and 17 mill= ion deaths in 2030.

A statement issued by CSG and AFROX to mark the World Cancer Day, wh= ich falls on Thursday, February 4, said:" According to the International Unio= n against Cancer, 12 million people receive cancer diagnosis and 7.6 millio= n people die of cancer each year, but the good news is that experts have estimated that approximately 40 per cent of cancers are potentially preventable."

"You can significantly reduce the risk of you or your family develop= ing cancers by stopping tobacco use, avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke, limiting consumption of alcohol, avoiding excessive sun exposure, maintaining a healthy weight through eating healthily and exercising regularly," the statement added. It said the focus of World Cancer Day, was the prevention of cancers=

caused by infections such as viruses and bacteria. The statement said: "Some cancers such as cervical, liver and stomac= h cancers are examples of cancers caused by chronic infections." It said the prevention of these infections was possible through interventions such as vaccination, use of antibiotics, improved sanitatio= n and learning simple avoidance strategies. It said in Ghana there was heightened awareness of the linkage betwe= en liver cancer and hepatitis B virus infections and the national push for screening and vaccination.

"The CSG through partnerships with AFROX, UK was playing a leading advocacy role for a national drive towards screening, testing and vaccination of at-risk females against cervical cancer."

The CSG pledged to continue to use its annual programmes such as screening exercises, health walks, lectures and talks to create awareness=

about the cancer burden as well as the simple but effective measures required to control cancer in Ghana, as the country strives to attain middle-income status within the next decade.