More cancer related awareness programmes are expected to take place this year.

Fiji Cancer Society president Cecilia Frost said there was an immense need for a support group to begin as soon as possible.

“As the president I would like to create and see more awareness programs is taking place,” Ms Frost said.

“Not just for those in urban areas but also village visits in the rural and outer islands. I would like to see a support group start up, where people could go to and talk about what they are going through or basic counselling.”

She said there should always be a strong alliance between health-care professionals, patients, governments, business houses and the media to fight cancer.

“We need to educate the people that when they feel something is wrong, don’t be afraid, be bold and go see a doctor. We need to change the perception of our people, to save lives.”

She said families of people battling with cancer also need the support from friends and families.

Meanwhile, the World Cancer Day (theme – Not beyond Us) will be celebrated tomorrow, February 4, as global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer on how to prevent, detect or treat it.  According to World Health Organisation (WHO) Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world, which an estimation that 84 million people will die of cancer within 10 years (2005 – 2015) without intervention.

The World Cancer Day is part of the World Cancer Campaign, which responds to the Charter of Paris adopted at the World Summit against Cancer for the New Millennium on February 4, 2000.

Since then Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and non-governmental organisation is responsible for coordinating World Cancer Day globally with the first organised in 2006.

It is supported by various partners and organisations, including the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other international bodies.

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