It is an amazing statistic: 43 percent of all cancer cases can be prevented.

The 2007-2008 World Cancer Campaign - "Today's Children, Tomorrow's World" - aims to spread information and share knowledge about actions and technologies from lifestyle behaviours to groundbreaking vaccines for cervical cancer to underscore prevention in fighting cancer.

Targeting parents, healthcare professionals and policy decision-makers, the global campaign will feature messages sharing a common theme: prevent cancer in adults by focusing on behaviour and appropriate vaccination during childhood.

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) - a Geneva-based NGO - and its cancer-fighting member organizations in over 80 countries will launch the campaign on World Cancer Day (Sunday 4 February 2007). Emphasis will be on four main cancer-causing factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, infections that may cause cancer, and overexposure to damaging sunlight. 

The four key messages of "Today's Children, Tomorrow's World" are:

• Provide a smoke-free environment for children ("no smoking in homes")
• Adopt an energy-balanced lifestyle, be physically active, exercise regularly, avid obesity, eat well

• Learn the facts about vaccines that can prevent certain forms of cancer
• Be sun-smart - avoid over-exposure to the sun and sunburn

With the fight against cancer at a turning point, UICC member organizations around the world will join to together in putting forth a simple life-saving message: actions now for today's children can shape a healthier tomorrow's world.