February 4 is World Cancer Day. A time set aside to raise awareness about the disease, or I would say the symptom. We hear about fund raisers, marathons, bake sales, and other events to raise awareness to this cause, most of them to raise funds for research and the cure. Cancer is a symptom, a cry from your body, it's telling you that it needs help to restore and heal. It's a hard and painful battle but it shouldn't always be a death sentence. Statistics show that this is a growing epidemic, with the dire prediction that 1 out of three people will develop cancer, we can change that.
This world cancer day, I would like everyone, not just those touched by cancer - to pay attention. Attention to Prevention. Be proactive about your health, listen to your bodies because you know when something's off, don't dismiss symptoms as ageing like most people do, like I did. Let's not wait until we're sick and racing against time to inform ourselves. Cancer can strike at any age, being young doesn't exempt you from this. The information is out there, within reach of everyone, take time out to understand your body, your environment, and your own consciousness. Let's take responsibility for our health. Don't rely on what you're told. Do your own research, ask questions, find the truth, read, feel and most of all, Take Action! It's not enough that we know, we should take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our families from this devastating condition. Let's not procrastinate on being well and staying well. Knowledge is your best ally against this otherwise avertible plague.
Look after yourselves and aim to be happy!
World Cancer Day was established by the Paris Charter adopted at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millenium in Paris on 4 February 2000. This Charter aimed at the promotion of the research for curing as well as preventing the disease, upgrading the provided services to the patients, the sensitisation of the common opinion and the mobilisation of the global community against cancer.
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