The World Cancer Day will be observed tomorrow in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the world for raising awareness and education about cancer and pressing governments and individuals to take action against the disease as there are 12 lakh cancer patients in the country.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) updated estimation, there are about 12 lakh cancer patients in the country and every year two lakh people are attacked by cancer and 1.5 lakh people die of the disease.

Different organisations chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner. 

This year the theme of the Day is 'Not Beyond Us', an initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. It takes place every year on 4 February.  

According to WHO, 8.2 million people die of cancer every year while around 10.50 crore women are affected by breast cancer, the second deadly disease across the world each year globally and most of them are residing in the third world countries, including Bangladesh.

This year the campaign will be articulated around four key areas of focus. These are, choosing healthy lives, delivering early detection, achieving treatment for all and maximizing quality of life.

As per WHO the rate of cancer affected people and their deaths in Bangladesh are rising, mainly because of low literacy, poor awareness level and poor economic condition.

According to a study carried out by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, in 2010, cancer caused 21% of maternal casualty in the country. 

Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Cancer is a rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs.