World Cancer Day

An appeal in the fight against cancer

The aim of World Cancer Day is to raise public awareness of cancer.

01.02.2021

World Cancer Day is held annually on February 4 under the auspices of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). A global initiative that aims to raise public awareness of the prevention, research and treatment of cancer.

It is estimated that almost one in two women and one in two men will develop cancer in their lifetime. In Germany, we count around 510,000 new cases of cancer every year. The three most common types of cancer in women are breast cancer, bowel cancer and lung cancer. For men, it is prostate cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer.

A healthy lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of cancer. According to experts, 40 percent of all cancers can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. This also includes taking advantage of statutory early detection programs. The earlier cancer is detected and the affected person receives qualified treatment, the greater the chance of a successful cure.


Facts and figures

510,000 people are newly diagnosed with cancer every year

50% of all adult cancer patients can be cured today

4 out of 5 children can be cured today

 

What can I do?

To mark World Cancer Day, we would like to remind you of ways in which you can reduce your risk of developing cancer. We are guided by the recommendations of the European Code.

The European Code is an initiative of the European Commission to inform citizens about measures they can take for themselves or their family to reduce the risk of cancer.

Ways to reduce the risk of cancer:

Not smoking is the best prevention against lung diseases

Abstain from all tobacco consumption. Ensure a smoke-free home and support smoke-free workplaces.

Pay attention to a healthy body weight

The key here is the combination of sufficient exercise and a healthy diet.

Be active in everyday life

Limit the time you spend sitting down, take short walks in between, take the stairs instead of the elevator... Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Pay attention to a healthy diet

These include whole grain products, legumes, vegetables and fruit. Limit foods with a high sugar or fat content.

Drink little alcohol and not every day

Choose non-alcoholic drinks more often. Better still, avoid alcohol altogether to reduce your risk of cancer.

Avoid too much sun and use sunscreen

UV radiation from artificial tanning beds (solariums) can also promote the development of skin cancer.

Follow the health and safety instructions in the workplace

...to protect against carcinogenic substances.

Radon - the barely noticed risk factor

Find out if you are exposed to increased radiation levels from naturally occurring radon in your home.

Avoid breastfeeding and hormone therapy

Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer in mothers. Hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk to your physician about this.

Vaccinations for children

The hepatitis B vaccination for newborns can reduce the risk of liver cancer. Vaccination against human papillomaviruses can reduce the risk of cervical cancer as well as penile, throat and anal…

Find out more about cancer screening programs

In Germany, women and men can be screened for various types of cancer over the course of their lives with the aim of detecting cancer at the earliest possible stage.

Nevertheless, cancer is not a question of guilt. Despite a healthy lifestyle, cancer cannot be prevented with certainty. Random genetic errors in cell division can also lead to cancer. These occur more frequently with increasing age. They cannot always be repaired by the body's own repair system.

Nevertheless, a healthy lifestyle is worthwhile: you promote your overall health and well-being!

Offers at the MHH

Prevention and aftercare: Important for your health.

At the MHH, there are various offers for advice on prevention options and measures. These include

  • Nutritional advice from the nutritional medicine department,
  • the "Easier through life" program
  • Sports medicine consultations
  • the "Smoke-free program"

Examinations are also carried out for the early detection of cancer and, in particular, findings requiring clarification are examined in more detail.
Find out more here

 

The CCC Hannover of the MHH supports patients who have been diagnosed with cancer with various counseling and therapy-accompanying measures, including psycho-oncological counseling, naturopathic services, advice on fertility protection and preservation of fertility, genetic cancer predisposition in children, human genetic counseling, nutritional counseling.
find out more here


Already seen it?

Colorectal cancer screening - how it works and why it is so important.
A video interview with Prof. Dr. Wedemeyer, Director of the Clinical Department of Gastroenterology.

12.07.2020

Click here for the video
Breast cancer screening - how can I take precautions and what symptoms should I be aware of?
A video interview with Dr. Sudip Kundu, Senior Physician at the Clinical Department of Gynaecology at the MHH.

28.01.2021

Click here for the video
Skin cancer screening - what changes should I look out for?
A video interview with Prof. Dr. Alexander Kapp, Director of the Clinical Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Allergy at the MHH.

28.01.2021

Click here for the video
Dangers of tobacco consumption

An interview with Dr. med. Bodmann from the Clinical Department of Pneumology at the MHH. What happens to our lungs when we smoke, why the e-cigarette is not a better alternative and why "party…

Read more
"Healthy nutrition" - what it means and how it can work

The most important information, tips and tricks from our nutrition experts at MHH to help you stay healthy throughout the day:

Read more

Further information:

Cancer Information Service

How does cancer develop?

 German Cancer Aid

To the Infothek. Helpful materials on the topics of cancer therapy, prevention and early detection.

 World Cancer Day (UICC) World Cancer Day German Cancer Aid