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MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (CANSA)
Date: 14 January 2011
Att: News Editor
For immediate release
Sign up for a cancer-free world!
2011 Promises to be an important year, not only for the Cancer Association of South
Africa (CANSA), but also for the bigger global cancer community. The 4 th of February
is World Cancer Day and CANSA is showing its commitment to the fight by declaring
that “Together we are stronger”.
With the UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases taking place in September,
member countries of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) will put the
global cancer burden on the UN’s agenda by getting a million people to sign a
declaration against cancer. The Union is the leading non-governmental organisation
dedicated exclusively to global cancer control and works to achieve 11 targets by 2020
including: Significant drops in global tobacco consumption; universal vaccination
programmes for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus; and universal availability of
effective pain medication.
The declaration, launched in 2006 and revised in 2008, is a call to action to take
immediate steps to reduce the global cancer burden by 2020. CANSA will take the lead in
South Africa and launch the campaign on the 4th of February with the signing of the
declaration by Sue Janse van Rensburg, CANSA CEO and cancer survivor of over 27
years.
“More than ever before there is a need for a concerted and coordinated fight against
cancer, and I believe that CANSA can play an important part by signing the UICC
declaration,” Janse van Rensburg. “This will create a global platform for cancer
awareness and governmental support,” she says. The initiative will be followed in cities,
towns and smaller communities throughout the country during the duration of the
campaign.
The aim is to get as many South Africans as possible to give their signatures and signing
the declaration for a cancer-free society. “We are part of a global campaign,” continues
Van Rensburg. “At a recent UICC congress in China in 2010, CANSA made a Bronze
pledge to collect up to 500 signatures, but we know we can collect more. We are calling on
all South Africans to help us achieve the most possible signatures and change the lives of
thousands.”
The World Cancer Declaration is a tool to help bring the growing cancer crisis to the
attention of government leaders and health policymakers in order to significantly reduce
the global cancer burden by 2020. It represents a consensus between government
officials, public health experts and cancer advocates from around the world who are
committed to eliminating cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations.
Cancer kills more people than AIDS, Malaria, and TB combined and the death toll is set to
rise dramatically in the coming decades. Demonstrate your commitment to the fight
against cancer by signing today at www.cansa.org.za or download the form and fax to
086 512 8589 or visit your nearest CANSA office and sign the pledge.
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Fast Facts
What is the World Cancer Declaration?
 Launched in 2006 and revised in 2008, the World Cancer Declaration is a call to action to
substantially reduce the global cancer burden by 2020.
 It was developed by international cancer control advocates to bring the cancer crisis to the
attention of policymakers worldwide.
 It lays out an ambitious set of 11 targets and action plan to stop and reverse current trends.
 It was unanimously adopted at the World Leader’s Summit of policymakers, leaders & health
experts during the 2008 World Cancer Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. UICC is the
“custodian” of the World Cancer Declaration and prioritizes development of a comprehensive
response.
Why is it important?
 Cancer is a life threatening disease that affects everyone: men and women, young and old, rich
and poor.
 Worldwide cancer kills more people world-wide than AIDS, Malaria, and TB combined and the
death toll is set to rise dramatically in the coming decades.
 Two-thirds of cancer-related deaths occur in countries where resources available for cancer
control are limited or non-existent.
 Without significant improvement, over 17 million people are projected to succumb from this
disease by 2030.
 Many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated appropriately.
 Many cancers can be prevented - this includes not using any tobacco products, eating whole
grain foods and low fat foods, drinking lots of safe, fresh clean water, getting plenty of exercise
and watching your weight. Furthermore, research shows that eating five portions of fruits and
vegetables daily, reduces your risk of cancer and many other lifestyle-related diseases
Why is it important in South Africa?
 Up to 40% of preventable cancers in the world occur in low and middle income countries of
which South Africa forms part.
 Research shows that up to 90% of cancers are caused by environmental factors
 One in four South Africans are affected by cancer.
 One in eight women in South Africa is at risk of being diagnosed with cancer and one in six men
is at risk of being diagnosed with cancer.
 Top cancers affecting South African males are: prostate, lung, and cancer of the oesophagus
 Top cancers affecting South African females: are breast, cervix, and colorectal cancer
 South Africa has the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the world after Australia. Over
700 South Africans die every year of skin cancer.
Statistics are based on the South African 2001 National Cancer Registry (NCR). Although the
NCR is outdated and a pathology-based registry, resulting in under-reporting of many
cancers, this is the only official verifiable South African data available at present.
What can you do to help?
In one easy step you can make a difference! By signing the World Cancer Declaration you join a global
community calling on key decision makers to reduce the cancer burden by committing to 11 key targets:
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Ensure effective cancer control systems are available worldwide
Significantly improve the measurement of the cancer burden
Decrease tobacco use, alcohol consumption and obesity
Ensure universal coverage of the HPV/HBV vaccine
Dispel damaging myths and misconceptions
More cancers are diagnosed through early detection programmes
Improve access to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and patient care
Universal availability of effective pain control for cancer patients
Improve training opportunities for cancer professionals
Reduce emigration of healthcare workers specialised in cancer
Major improvements in global cancer survival rates
These targets are ambitious, but through collaborative action we can make a significant difference in
a short time.
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How can individuals and organisations support the Declaration?
 Sign the Declaration, visit www.cansa.org.za and sign directly or download the form on
www.cansa.org.za or visit your nearest CANSA office
 Become a Declaration partner.
 Encourage other individuals & organisations to endorse the Declaration.
 Encourage local & national media coverage on the Declaration.
 Develop advocacy campaigns focused on the Declaration.
 Develop translations of the Declaration in your native language.
 Develop and/or review national adaptations of the Declaration.
About CANSA
CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading roleplayer in cancer research (R4,5 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from
our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the
greater benefit of the public
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We fight cancer by making the public aware of the importance of early detection of cancer that enables more
effective treatment and a better chance of recovery. This is achieved by our cancer screening clinics.
CANSA recorded:
 20 428 Pap smears to help detect cervical cancer
 24 908 breast self-examinations (BSE) to help detect breast cancer
 4 957 Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test to help detect prostate cancer
 5 904 skin examinations to help detect skin cancer
For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication
at CANSA or email: [email protected], call 011 616 7662 or cell: 082 459 5230. Or visit
www.cansa.org.za or call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22, or email: [email protected])
ENDS