Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
It is a great pleasure for me to attend 2013 World Cancer Day Themed Event in this beautiful historical city of Wuhan.
First of all, I would like to thank Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and partner organizations for organizing this important event, and thank all of you for your contributions to cancer prevention and control.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for 7.6 million deaths in 2008. The main types of cancer are lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer.
About 70% of all cancer deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
In China, in 2010, cancer accounted for more than 20% of overall deaths and became one of the leading causes of death in China.
Each year on 4 February, WHO supports International Union Against Cancer to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. World Cancer Day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and encouraging governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease.
This year's theme focuses on dispelling damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer. Myths and misconceptions on cancer continue to hamper efforts to prevent, screen for, detect early and treat cancer. These myths need to be clarified.
First, we need to dispel the myth that cancer is just a health issue. In fact, cancer also has wide-reaching social, economic development and human rights implications.
Second, we need to dispel the myth that cancer is a disease of the wealthy, elderly and developed countries. In fact, cancer is a global epidemic, affecting all ages, with low- and middle income countries bearing the brunt.
Third, we need to dispel the myth that cancer is a death sentence. There are effective ways to prevent as well as detect cancers in the early stage. Prompt treatment can cure many cancers.
Last but not the least, we need to dispel the myth that cancer is my fate. In fact, with the right strategies, more than one in every three cancers can be prevented.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we know, interventions to prevent and manage the disease are now widely available. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of cancer. Alcohol, an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are also risk factors for cancers of the breast, stomach and colon, among others. More than 30% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding these risk factors.
Prevention of liver cancer through hepatitis B immunization and prevention of cervical cancer through screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions are identified as "best buys" for cancer control.
China has made great progress on cancer control, and carried out active preventive strategies and cancer control projects in collaboration with all sectors of society, including an early screening and treatment programme for major cancers among the high-risk populations in high-risk localities, and nationwide public education about cancer prevention and treatment.
WHO, along with its many national and international partners, is committed to supporting the Government of China to reduce the cancer burden.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Cancer control needs everyone's support.
On World Cancer Day, WHO calls for well-conceived, well-managed national control programmes to reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths through implementation of evidence-based strategies for prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. WHO also calls for the improvement of the quality of life of cancer patients, including the use of cancer pain control.
Let's dispel the myths and misconceptions about cancer. Let's work together to fight against cancer, helping people live healthy lives.
Thank you.