WASHINGTON, DC – The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has announced its support for this year’s World Cancer Day on February 4 with a call for everyone to work towards reducing the burden of diseases like cancer by 25 per cent by 2025.

The day, organised by the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC), takes place on Saturday February 4 and will focus on the message that many cases of cancer can be prevented.

This year’s World Cancer Day is the first since the UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the signing of the Political Declaration supporting the prevention and control of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

We encourage everyone – from individuals to governments – to use the day to take responsibility for reducing the number of premature deaths from cancer and other NCDs by a quarter within 13 years.

As well as giving its support to World Cancer Day – which this year has the banner ‘Together it is Possible’ to encapsulate the cooperative nature of the event – AICR will be working to promote the day through the media in the US and around the world.

Marilyn Gentry, President of AICR and the WCRF global network, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the UICC in its valuable work around World Cancer Day.

“By harnessing the energy of cancer-related organizations across the globe, World Cancer Day can play an important role in the effort against the disease.

“We are also happy to see that the main focus of this year’s World Cancer Day is prevention. We hope it will help highlight the fact that scientists estimate a third of the most common cancers could be prevented through healthy eating, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight.

“Our research shows that not enough people are aware that what they eat and how active they are affect their cancer risk. We hope that World Cancer Day provides a great opportunity to reach people all over the world with this important message.”

Cary Adams, Chief Executive Officer at UICC, added: “World Cancer Day is a vital reminder that it is only by every person, organisation and government individually doing their part that the world will reduce the burden of cancer and premature deaths by 25 per cent by 2025 – a target the World Health Organization believes to be achievable.

“Together it is possible – alone, lives will continue to be lost.”