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350497
Mon, 12/08/2014 - 12:29
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Iran to launch anti-cancer campaign

Tehran, Dec 8, IRNA - Iran’s Health Ministry will launch an informative campaign to curb cancer, concurrent with World Cancer Day on February 4, 2015, to raise public awareness about the disease and help reduce it, said an official. “The campaign, whose primary target groups are teenagers and youths, will be held in collaboration with the Education Ministry, IRIB and NGOs, featuring numerous programs ranging from contests to educational workshops,” said Ali Motlaq, the head of Cancer Office at the Health Ministry. The official noted that the government has designed a plan to extend insurance coverage for cancer drugs by 90 percent, according to Monday's edition of 'Iran Daily'. “People in impoverished areas will receive medicines totally free of charge,” he added. No cancer tsunami The official said using the word “tsunami” to describe cancer rise in Iran is not scientific, because Iran’s cancer rate is lower than the global average. “Cancer affects 134 men and 128 women per 100,000 individuals; this is while 205 men and 165 women per 100,000 have contracted the disease globally.” Motlaq said the cancer rate is expected to double between 2012 and 2030, stressing that 70 percent of the cases are supposed to happen in developing countries, including Iran. The official cited life expectancy as the main reason behind the surge in cancer rate. Main causes “Average life expectancy in Iran has risen from 58 about 35 years ago to 74 at present,” he said, noting that aging and cancer are directly linked. Motlaq also said environmental factors such as air and water pollution are other causes of cancer. “Energy consumption is much higher in Iran than the global average. Total energy use per person stands at 2,800 kilograms and 1,700 kilograms respectively in Iran and in the world,” he said. Motlaq said carbon dioxide emission is another cause of cancer, adding that per capita carbon dioxide production is 7 tons in Iran and 4.6 tons in the world. “An unhealthy lifestyle, including cigarette smoking, obesity, avoiding fruits and poor physical activity, are also contributing to the rise in cancer,” he said. “Between 10 and 11 percent of Iranians smoke cigarettes. More than 50 percent of women and half of men are overweight. More than 90 percent of the country’s population take less than five portions of fruits daily and at least between 35 and 40 percent do not exercise regularly.” Motlaq declared that the people and government must join hands to fight cancer. People-government collaboration “People have a role in increasing air pollution by driving private cars. However, the government is duty-bound to provide citizens with sufficient public transportation services. People have to quit smoking and the government is obliged to impose heavy tax on tobacco as a preventive measure,” he said. Motlaq said 10 percent of cancers are caused by smoking and 25 percent are linked with infections in developing countries. “Smoking and infections cause 25 percent of cancer mortality, while alcohol consumption, poor physical activity and low intake of fruits are behind 25 percent of deaths,” he said. Motlaq said Iran is a forerunner in prompt recognition of cancers, as early recognition is vital in curing breast, colon and cervical cancers./end

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