What Approach Does the United Kingdom Take to Fighting Cancer?

According to a report published in 2016, cancer overtook cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in 12 European countries. Many countries worldwide run effective cancer programs and establish cancer research centers. The United Kingdom is among the countries that best implement cancer research and education programs. Let us examine what is being done to raise cancer awareness in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom consists of four countries: Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Statistics show that in 2014 there were 357.000 new cancer cases in the United Kingdom. Breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers account for more than 50 percent of cases. More than 50 percent of people in the United Kingdom develop cancer at age 70 or later. There are two important reasons for increasing cancer numbers in the United Kingdom and many other countries. The most important is increasing average life expectancy: because cancer is largely a disease of older age, case numbers rise alongside longer lives. The second is population growth. Many cancer research and support centers operate in the United Kingdom to prevent increasing cases and develop effective treatments. These include:

1. One of the World’s Leading Cancer Organizations: Cancer Research UK

Established in 2002 through the merger of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign, it is the world’s largest independent research charity. Its purpose is to reduce deaths from cancer. Almost its entire budget comes from public support. It conducts cancer research at universities and hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. Its duties also include campaigns providing accurate cancer information and increasing awareness. It has the Francis Crick Institute, the world’s largest biomedical research center. It supports approximately 4000 doctors, nurses and researchers at different research centers across the United Kingdom. To date, it has supported more than 200 clinical trials. The prostate cancer drug Abiraterone (Zytiga) was discovered at research centers belonging to the charity. Thomas Lindahl, who shared the 2015 Nobel Prize for DNA repair research with Turkish scientist Aziz Sancar, is also a Cancer Research UK researcher.

The charity has more than 40.000 active volunteers. Volunteers take part in multiple campaigns, including fundraising, patient support and information provision. Campaigns conducted by the charity in recent years include:

• Time Hero (Time Hero): A volunteering campaign aimed at increasing volunteer numbers in cancer campaigns. Volunteers work in Cancer Research UK shops or take part in campaigns and events.
• The Race For Life (Race for Life): One of the activities organized in the United Kingdom to encourage exercise, prevent obesity and promote active living. Running events are held on particular days to encourage people to exercise.

Recently, Cancer Research UK has also begun supporting international research groups. For example, a project aiming to create 3-dimensional maps of cancer cells received funding for 6 years totaling 20 million pounds. It also has an effective, comprehensive website with cancer videos and articles for every age group. . .

2. McMillan Cancer Support

Founded in 1902 by Douglas McMillan, who lost his father to cancer, its aim is to provide medical, psychological and financial support to patients with cancer. It is supported entirely by donations. By organizing social activities in the United Kingdom, it boosts patients’ morale and raises financial support for them.

Obesity is known to increase cancer risk substantially. Obesity is becoming a major problem in the United Kingdom, where cases are increasing amid generally high consumption of fatty convenience foods and sugary drinks. As part of efforts addressing this, the Mediterranean Diet has begun gaining importance in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, e-cigarettes , whose sale is legal in the United Kingdom, also pose a major problem. Recent statistics indicate increasing use, particularly among young people. United Kingdom national statistics show that 2.2 million people use e-cigarettes. Substantial studies indicate that e-cigarettes, presented as a healthy alternative to smoking, contain carcinogens (substances with a high potential to cause cancer).

Examining cancer-control models in different countries will also allow effective practices to be developed in our country. In this way, we can create an informed society aware of cancer.