Today is World Cancer Day, a day when millions of people around the globe unite to raise awareness about cancer and work to make it a global health priority.
“I am over 3 years post treatment and feeling great. There is no way you can put your body through this kind of treatment and not have some residual damage. We call it our 'new normal.' I want to help others who are experiencing this horrible disease and say to them – it is not your fault."
– Janet, anal cancer thriver
Every year 14 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. HPV is responsible for 5% of the world’s cancer -- amounting to over 600,000 diagnoses a year, including anal, cervical, penile, oral, vulvar and vaginal cancers. With your support, we can end the suffering of over half a million people every year.
An update from HPVACF on World Cancer Day
We started 2015 with a bang, taking vocal and assertive action to end HPV and the cancers it causes.
- To eradicate these cancers for future generations, we continue to speak about the importance of access to the HPV vaccine. In the first week of 2015, we testified to both the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in London and the New York City Council in New York about the importance of equal and increased access for boys and girls to the life-saving HPV vaccine. We also held an HPV awareness event with our NOMAN is an Island: Race to End HPV campaign this past weekend.
- Working to advance treatments for anal cancer, we awarded MD Anderson Cancer Center a $40,000 grant to find better treatments. This research will look at alternatives to the current standard treatment that has been used for decades for metastatic anal cancer.
- Early detection and better treatment options are key for ending HPV-associated cancers. In March, we are taking part in the second ever scientific conference on anal cancer and precancer, sponsored by the International Anal Neoplasia Society (IANS). As you may recall, IANS is the organization we gave a seed grant to in 2011, and it has grown to over 150 doctors, nurses and researchers. Leading scientists from around the world will be in attendance to discuss their research on prevention, screening and treatment. Scientists and researchers may sign up and learn more here.
Ending HPV-related cancers is within our reach. Here is how you can get involved in World Cancer Day:
- Share your experience with cancer and how fighting it is #notbeyondus
- World Cancer Day will host an expert discussion today about the status of cancer research and treatment. Join their webcast and twitter chat at 12pm EST / 5PM GMT by using hashtag #fightworldcancer
- Contact us to answer your questions about myths, facts, research, treatment and cancer support related to anal cancer and HPV
By moving forward together, we are showing that cancer is not beyond us.
Thrive on!
Justine, Tristan and Camille
Co-Founders
