First, see the damage in shocking numbers: In 2006 alone, at least 7 million died of cancer. Cancer claimed twice as many lives as AIDS. In fact, 13% of all deaths every year are caused by cancer. That's more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria put together.

Now, see the deadly potential for our future: If current trends hold, says WHO predictions, by 2030, despite an anticipated 130 percent increase in deaths due to HIV/AIDS, cancer will still take more lives worldwide (an estimated 11.5 million) each year than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.

But now, realize the potential for life-saving change:

"If action is taken now, 2 million lives can be saved each year by 2020, and 6.5 million by 2040," states the joint UICC/WHO publication "Global Action Against Cancer NOW".

"No matter what advances there may be in high-technology medicine, any major reduction in deaths and disability from cancer will come from prevention, not from cure."

As many as 43 percent of all cancers could be prevented outright through healthier lifestyles established early in life. Limiting exposure to cancer risks among all children today will greatly reduce the long-term incidence and economic costs of cancer.

That is where health professional comes in. Life-saving prevention can be achieved by educating children patients and their families about the importance of:

1. Not using tobacco of any kind;
2. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly;
3. Receiving vaccinations at appropriate ages against cancer-causing infections;
4. Avoiding unprotected exposure to the sun.

Cancer Cause: Tobacco Use; Prevention: Control and Education

If current trends continue unaltered, 650 million people alive today will eventually die of tobacco-related diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of cancer in the world - contributing to about 30 percent of all cancer deaths in developed countries and a growing percentage in developing countries. Use of tobacco is responsible for up to 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths and is also linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, liver, kidney and stomach. And, there is growing evidence related to additional cancer diseases as well. Most tobacco users begin their habits during childhood. In fact, in many parts of the world, more than 30 percent of children have used addictive tobacco products before age 10.

Education about the risks of tobacco use among paediatric patients and their families is essential in any cancer-preventative medical program. Simple and direct efforts on the part of health care professionals to educate parents and children.

Cancer Cause: Poor Diet and Inactivity; Prevention: Healthier Choices

Altogether, diet is second only to tobacco use as a preventable cause of cancer. Dietary factors account for about 30 percent of all cancers in developed countries and as many as 20 percent of cancers in developing countries.

As developing countries become urbanized, patterns of cancer, particularly those associated with diet and physical activity, tend to shift toward patterns found in the developed world. Specifically, overweight and obesity contribute to cancers of the oesophagus, colon, kidney, breast and endometrium. Overuse of alcohol also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver and breast, while high intake of preserved meat or red meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Prevention begins with educating children and their families about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding abuse of alcohol and increasing physical activity. In addition, regular exercise and diets rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Because cancer shares these risk factors with many other noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, cancer prevention can be part of an overall preventive strategy.

Cancer Cause: Chronic Infection; Prevention: Immunizations

One-fifth of all cancers worldwide are caused by chronic infection. The hepatitis B virus (HBV), for example, leads to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer, diseases that kill about 1 million people each year.

And each year the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes about 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer among women. About 80 percent of all cervical cancers occur in developing countries where there is little access to routine screening (Pap smears) or treatment.

Children are susceptible to both viruses, but both are preventable, thanks to the proven vaccine against HBV and a new vaccine against HPV. Immunization programs for children at the appropriate ages are an important strategy within an overall cancer prevention program. In addition, because both viruses are transmitted through sexual contact, patient education about disease risks and safe sexual behavior is another important component of prevention.

Cancer Cause: Sunlight Overexposure; Prevention: Healthier Behaviours

Excessive solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation and skin burns increases the risk of all types of skin cancer. Up to 3 million nonmelanoma skin cancers and approximately 132,000 malignant melanomas occur worldwide each year.

As many as four out of five cases of skin cancer, however, are preventable through changes in behaviour. Prevention begins by educating children patients and their parents about the harmful effects of sun overexposure and the best forms of protection.

Risk of sunlight overexposure is greatest at times of day and year when the sun is higher in the sky, at latitudes closer to the equator, at higher altitudes and in areas where snow, sand or water can reflect radiation. Although individuals with fair skin and light hair are at greater risk, persons with darker skin are still susceptible to the damaging effects of UV radiation.