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World Cancer Day, 4
February 
Cancer is a major killer in the South-East Asia Region,
accounting for an estimated 1.1 million deaths each year. Approximately half
of those who die of cancer, die prematurely, i.e.
below the age of 60 years.
To raise awareness and to reduce the burden of cancer, 4
February has been designated World Cancer Day by the Union
for International Cancer Control. This
year's theme is "Together it is possible". The theme highlights
that it is only when every person, organization and government does its part
will the world be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other noncommunicable diseases.
Cancer in the South-East Asia Region (SEA) Region - Quick facts
 In the SEA Region, an estimated 1.1million
people died of cancers in 2008.
A large proportion of cancer deaths occur in
the economically productive age group. Fifty-two per cent of cancer deaths
among women and 45% of cancer deaths among men were of those below the age of
60 years.
Each year, an estimated 1.7 million new cancer
cases occur in the SEA Region. The most common sites of cancers among males are
the lungs (17%, including trachea and bronchus), followed by mouth and oropharynx (15%), and liver (7.5%). Among women, cervical
and breast cancers are the most common, accounting for 35% of all cancer
deaths.
The majority of cancer cases present at an
advanced stage of the disease and with complications, which imposes a heavy
burden on the family and the health-care system.
The good news is that we know how to prevent
cancer with cost-effective interventions and treat most forms of cancer. The
way we will beat cancer is to join our efforts: cancer prevention through
proven means, such as tobacco control, early detection – in particular
screening for cervical and breast cancer in women, for example – improved
access to high-quality treatment services delivered in an equitable way, as
well as to palliative care where cure is not any more an option.
The UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting and
declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) from September 2011 calls on governments to (a)
promote increased access to cost-effective (i)
vaccinations to prevent infections associated with cancer as part of national
immunization schedules and (ii) cancer-screening programmes;
and (b) protect their people from exposure to tobacco use, unhealthy diet,
physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol.
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 Healthier
Schools Toolkit
Laying the Foundation of Healthy Lifestyles among School
Children
Message for the
School Principal [PDF 43.8 KB] Teacher’s
Guidebook [PDF 43.8 980 KB] Posters
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Noncommunicable
Diseases in the South-East Asia Region
Situation
and Response - 2011  NCDs
are top killers in South-East Asia REgion, causing
an estimated 7.9 million deaths annually. One third of these deaths are premature and occur before the age of 60 years, in the
economically productive age population.
This new regional report describes the current burden of noncommunicable diseases in the South-East Asia Region,
their underlying risk factors and socioeconomic determinants. The report also
summarizes the progress countries are making for tackling the NCD epidemic,
provides the base for regional and country responses, highlights selected
successful country practices and recommends the way forward in addressing NCDs and risk factors in a comprehensive and integrated
way. More
Info [PDF 3.8 MB]
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