Quit smoking, say no to tobacco

World No Tobacco Day will be held on 31 May and smokers have been encouraged not to smoke for the day.
In commemoration of the day Cancer Association of Namibia, (CAN) will have e-campaigning and media interviews, while the Ministry of Health and Social Services have an event planned in Rundu.
Rolf Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia, (CAN) said that smoking, or rather tobacco products, remain a leading contributor to most forms of cancer including, lung breast and prostate world-wide.
“There are numerous ways, groups and products on the market that can be used to help smokers stop smoking, but studies have shown that will-power and active determination is the best cure to stop smoking,” said Hansen.
He advised smokers to find a support group and avoid company, friends and places where people smoke.
According to the cancer association, from the more prominent types of cancer types recorded, 15% of patients admitted they are smokers, in breast cancer cases 25% of patients admitted they were smokers, in lung cancer 39% of patients confirmed they were smokers and only 33% confirmed that they never smoked, but were exposed to second hand smoke.
“This information thus indicates that smoking and tobacco products are indeed contributing factors on average when it comes to cancer,” he added.
Hansen said how we live life and what we do to inspire change and a better future for children is what counts. “We need to take a proactive approach to living, it is not just about taking, it is better to live and pay it forward and inspire hope and change, quit smoking, your lungs depend on it and your body does too,” he added.
In 2014, 3 154 registered cases of cancer were recorded with the Namibia National Cancer Registry (NNCR), which is maintained and funded by the Cancer Association of Namibia.