This year World Cancer Day takes place on February 4th, which is part of the month long celebration of National Cancer Prevention Month.  World Cancer Day, organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (IUCC), is an opportunity to raise cancer awareness and dismiss misconceptions about the disease.  This year’s World Cancer Day will focus on Target 5 of the 11 targets within the World Cancer Declaration: to dispel damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer.¹   The four myths that this year’s World Cancer Day will work towards dismissing are:  

1. Cancer is just a health issue.
2. Cancer is a disease of the wealthy, elderly, and developed countries.
3. Cancer is a death sentence.
4. Cancer is my fate.
   

“Every year 7.6 million lives are lost to cancer worldwide, which is more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.”   These statistics may seem overwhelming, but they also send the message that ending cancer and increasing cancer prevention awareness should become a global priority.  Around one-third of the most common cancers could be prevented by following three simple lifestyle guidelines: sticking to a healthy diet, being physically active, and managing body weight.  “Prevention is by far the most cost-effective and sustainable approach to reducing the cancer burden.”   This year’s World Cancer Day & National Cancer Prevention Month are both great opportunities to raise awareness about cancer prevention.

TRAIN, the nation’s premier learning management system for professionals and volunteers who protect the public’s health, offers a variety of trainings focused on cancer prevention and cancer education to public health professionals.  Some examples of the trainings available on TRAIN include the following:

• Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
• Research to Reality: mHealth Initiatives: Mobilizing Cancer Prevention and Control
• Breast Cancer Modules I - V
• Research to Reality: Tools of the Trade: Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Cancer Control
• Understanding Cancer: Treatment and Survivorship

Make sure that you are informed during National Cancer Prevention Month and World Cancer Day by registering for a free TRAIN account today.  Sign up for one of the many courses to increase your knowledge on cancer and/or cancer prevention strategies.

1.  World Cancer Day.  http://www.worldcancerday.org/wcd-home.  Accessed January 31, 2013.

2.  World Cancer Day 2013. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/features/world-cancer-day-2013. Accessed February 1, 2013.

3. World Cancer Day: Get the Facts. http://www.aicr.org/about/world-cancer-day/world-cancer-day-mg-letter.html. Accessed February 1, 2013.