World Cancer Day ; Fights Against Mesothelioma

Today is World Cancer Day, sponsored by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and supported by the American Cancer Society.  Cancer is the leading cause of death around the globe, and lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in both men and ladies.  Some types of lung cancer could be  avoided if toxins were not introduced to the body.  Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is one of those types of lung cancer that might have been avoided, as it's primarily linked with asbestos, a naturally occurring yet carcinogenic mineral.

Sadly, about 3000 people a year in the United States alone are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of internal organs that has no cure.  What even more sad is that mesothelioma might have been  prevented if the companies that manufactured, sold and distributed ( in others words made a lot of money off of) asbestos had revealed what they knew or at least warned employees and put warnings on products made with asbestos.  Facts from as early as the 1930's showed that exposure to asbestos caused serious illnesses, including deadly forms of cancer.  Yet companies did nothing to adequately inform, protect or prevent harmful exposure to millions across the globe.

Asbestos use was regulated in the United States in the early 1980's, yet exposure still continues.  One, there's still thousands of asbestos containing products in buildings, ships, cars that were made before the restrictions.  Three, Canada is still exporting a form of asbestos called chrysotile.  And, three, lots of developing countries are still using asbestos, without giving warnings or taking precautions to prevent hazardous exposure.

So¦what does this must do with World Cancer Day???  There's lots of ways that one can support ending cancer worldwide, including mesothelioma, through the ACS and UICC.  Today, at sundown, the Empire State Building in New York will be illuminated in orange and blue lights to mark World Cancer Day and show tribute to the millions whose lives are affected by cancer and other non-communicable diseases.  You can join people all over the world who are committed to lower the cancer burden in any number of ways by checking out the resource or event category of the UCIC web site:  http://www.worldcancerday.org/wcd-resources.