If one is to name the most challenging of human health conditions, cancer would undoubtedly come on top.
Reportedly, in the year 2020, there were an estimated 18.1 million cancer cases globally. Of these, 9.3 million cases were in men and 8.8 million in women.
And to raise worldwide awareness about cancer and its impact on individuals, families, and communities, February 4 is globally observed as World Cancer Day. It was established as a global uniting initiative by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000 and has been observed on February 4 every year since then. The goal of World Cancer Day is also to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
According to the official website of World Cancer Day, this year's theme is “Close the Care Gap”, which is all about celebrating progress in its many forms that enable more people to seek and receive the care they need and deserve. It is about providing the momentum to fuel our fight for fairness.
Indian Weekender spoke to Lucy Elwood, Chief Executive of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, to know more about the significance of this day, cancer statistics in NZ and what more needs to be done to promote cancer awareness, among others.
Q What is the significance of this day for your organisation?
As New Zealand's leading organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence and impact of Cancer, World Cancer Day is extremely significant for the Cancer Society. Our job is to ensure the best cancer care for New Zealanders, which is both a local and global issue. It is a great opportunity for us to band together with other organisations worldwide fighting for the same cause and to help each other spread the message that everyone deserves quality cancer care.
Q What are you doing to promote cancer awareness in NZ?
We are committed to working with communities and decision-makers by providing leadership and advocacy in cancer control, with core services in information and support, research, and health promotion.
Q What are the stats regarding Cancer in NZ?
Every year, 25,000 people in NZ are diagnosed with cancer. We know that cancer touches everyone in NZ at some point. This is why we strive to make our support services easily accessible to anyone and everyone across the country who needs them. This includes safe transport to and from treatment, accommodation close to treatment centres, and psychology and counselling services. We also fund life-saving cancer research to benefit all New Zealanders.
Q What is your message on World Cancer Day?
This year the theme for the day is "Close the Care Gap", which is an equity theme appropriate for NZ. Let's "Close the Care Gap" and remove the barriers to health equity in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Help us work towards timely, high-quality care for everyone who needs it; support in our communities; no patients cost for cancer care; and Cancer care closer to home.
Q What support from the government in this area would you like to see?
We would like to see strong leadership from the government around the issue of accessing cancer care in NZ, to increase health equity in communities across the country. We need more support from the government for the essential services the Cancer Society provides to help people get to treatment, especially our accommodation and driving services. Time and time again, we see minority groups, including Maori and Pasifika peoples, marginalised in our society, who suffer unnecessarily for being unable to access the care they need. This, in turn, puts undue pressure on our health system. Systemic changes are required, and we encourage the government to consider these.
ISSUE
