The Forum of International Respiratory Societies Supports World Cancer Day on February 4

CAPE TOWN, GLENVIEW, LAUSANNE, MONTEVIDEO, NEW YORK, PARIS, TOKYO, Feb. 1, 2016 -- In recognition of World Cancer Day on February 4, American College of Chest Physicians, alongside members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), support the World Cancer Day: 'We Can. I Can.'campaign. The global campaign highlights how everyone, as a collective or as individuals, can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. FIRS is also using the day to highlight the global burden of lung cancer.

Next year alone, nearly 9 million people are likely to die of cancer, and left unchecked, the number of deaths will increase to 13 million per year by 2030. World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do: make a pledge and take action. Whatever you choose to do 'We Can. I Can.' will make a difference to the fight against cancer. The initiative outlines nine targets to be achieved by 2025 with the overarching goal to reduce cancer deaths by 25% by 2025. The targets include strengthening health systems, measuring cancer burden and impact of cancer plans in all countries, reducing exposure to cancer risk factors, universal coverage of HPV and HBV vaccination, reduction of stigma and dispelling myths about cancer, universal access to screening and early detection for cancer, improvement in access to services across the cancer care spectrum, universal availability of pain control and distress management, and improvement in education and training of healthcare professionals.

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.8 million new cases in 2012, and is responsible for nearly one in five deaths. While most understand that smoking is the single greatest risk factor for lung cancer, regular exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk. In addition, environmental exposure to radon, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium, and uranium have all been linked to lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer also increases with a history of cancer in another part of the body, age, family history, radiation to the chest area, and lung diseases like COPD and tuberculosis.

"We welcome occasions such as World Cancer Day to raise awareness of lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer deaths globally. Providing information to the public to aid in reduction of exposure to cancer risk factors, improving access to services across the cancer care spectrum, and strengthening health systems are all critical to improving lung cancer care and decreasing mortality." said Prof. Michiaki Mishima, President of FIRS.

About the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS)
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is an organization comprised of the world's leading international respiratory societies working together to improve lung health globally: American Thoracic Society (ATS), American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), Asociación Latinoamericana De Tórax (ALAT), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS). The goal of FIRS is to unify and enhance efforts to improve lung health through the combined work of its more than 70,000 members globally.

CONTACT: Betty Sax, [email protected]