Riyadh governor launches ‘40x40’ cancer awareness campaign

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar launched the “40x40” campaign to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle, while also raising awareness about early detection and the main symptoms of different cancers. 
The initiative marked the Gulf Cancer Awareness Week, using the slogan “40x40” referring to “40 percent protection, 40 percent cure.” 
The cancer campaign has a simultaneous launch in all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and runs for a period of seven days.
Deputy director-general of the Council of Health Ministers of the GCC countries, Dr. Hajid bin Mohammed Hajid, said the campaign aims at the primary and secondary prevention of cancer, in addition to activating the role of community partnerships.
He said the fight against cancer is one of the main health issues facing the whole world, given the disease is among the leading causes of mortality, with new cases expected to increase to 22 million worldwide by 2030.
According the Gulf International Cancer Center, the rate of cancer increased during the period between 1998 and 2016. Hajid said the risk lies in the fact that more than 5 percent of cases are detected in advanced stages, making them difficult to treat and increasing the related economic, psychological and health burden.
Hajid expressed his thanks for the efforts exerted by the officials of the Gulf International Cancer Center and the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control for launching the campaign.