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  • Home > Blog > Cancer > Use World Cancer Day to Raise Awareness of Mesothelioma
Posted on Thursday, Jan 21, 2010

Use World Cancer Day to Raise Awareness of Mesothelioma

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) initiated the World Cancer Campaign in 2005 to raise awareness of cancer prevention, and has once again declared February 4, 2010 as a global World Cancer Day. The purpose is to “help raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it. ” Mesothelioma affects close to 3,000 people in the United States yearly, and almost 20,000 people across the globe die from mesothelioma each year.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years.

During World Cancer Day individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations and governments work to educate the general public about the different types of cancer. This year’s campaign is “cancer can be prevented too,” and focuses on educating the public against smoking, sun exposure and other hazards.

When you encounter people on February 4th, raise awareness about mesothelioma with the following statement from the Mesothelioma Applied Resource Foundation website:”thousands of Americans each year are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Currently is no cure; but there is hope.”

For more information on mesothelioma treatment, support, and resources see MesotheliomaHelp.Net.