Asia PR News

GENEVA, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

Messages offer healthy lessons parents can share with their children

It is an amazing statistic: 43 percent of cancer cases can be prevented
through healthy lifestyles established in childhood. The World Cancer Campaign
- "Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s World" - underscores prevention by sharing
knowledge about lifestyle behaviours.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070130/CLTU006 )

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) - a Geneva-based NGO - and
member organisations in 86 countries will launch the campaign on World Cancer
Day. Targeting parents, health-care professionals and policymakers, the
campaign presents a common theme: fostering healthy habits during childhood can
help prevent cancer later in life. (campaign.uicc.org)

The World Cancer Campaign four key messages are:
- Provide a smoke-free environment for children
- Be physically active, eat a healthy diet, and avoid obesity
- Learn about vaccines for virus-related liver and cervical cancers
- Avoid over-exposure to the sun

More than seven million people die from cancer and close to 11 million new
cases are diagnosed every year. In 2006, cancer killed more people than AIDS,
malaria and tuberculosis combined. (facts.uicc.org)

"Cancer strikes all segments of society in every country. The good news is
cancer is largely preventable," says Isabel Mortara, UICC executive director.
"The first steps toward prevention are education and action. That needs to
start with children."

In addition to targeting individuals, the World Cancer Campaign encourages
policy decision-makers to put cancer on the public agenda.

"Cancer control can only be effective if given priority at the highest
decision-making levels. Complacency and inaction on the part of the world
community will effectively contribute to more than 10 million deaths every year
by 2020," says Dr Franco Cavalli, UICC president.

Former United States First Lady Barbara Bush, Her Royal Highness Lalla
Salma of Morocco, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and tennis star Steffi
Graf are among those lending their voices to the World Cancer Campaign with
encouragement for those touched by cancer. (voices.uicc.org)

The UICC is a global resource for action with more than 270 member
organisations in Africa, The Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle
East. (http:///members.uicc.org.)

SOURCE: International Union Against Cancer (UICC)

NOTE TO EDITORS: Artwork is available at (http://artwork.uicc.org)

CONTACT: Europe, Middle East & Africa: J.J. Divino of International Union
Against Cancer;
Geneva, + 41 22 809 1878, or
divino@uicc.org; Americas & Asia-
Pacific: Washington +1-202-558-3583,
Mexico City + 525 585 252806, or
media@uicc.org

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070130/CLTU006
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
Web site: http://campaign.uicc.org
http://facts.uicc.org
http://voices.uicc.org
http://members.uicc.org/