According to the American Cancer Society, nearly half of all men and a little over one third of all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetime.
But the good news is the risk of developing cancer can be reduced through changes in a person’s lifestyle such as quitting smoking, eating a better diet, and increasing physical activity.
The 2011 MMAC officers, representatives of the Commonwealth Cancer Association and volunteers on Friday joined Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos who signed the Marianas March Against Cancer Week proclamation at the Delta Air Lines check-in counter at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport.
The proclamation encourages members of the community to honor survivors of cancer, commemorate those who have passed on, and learn as much as possible about how to prevent this disease.
Commonwealth Cancer Association program manager Tina Sablan said the CCA, the primary advocacy organization for cancer awareness, education and outreach programs in the CNMI, will aim to educate the community about cancer and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments and prevention programs.
Sablan said last year, the CCA offered direct assistance to 44 cancer patients in the CNMI.
Attendance at its regular forum meetings has also been increasing, Sablan said, because they have invited healthcare providers, caregivers, dieticians, nurses and other professionals.
“Cancer can be beaten and we urge everyone to join the fight by participating in the upcoming MMAC on Friday evening, May 13, to Saturday morning at the Hopwood Junior High School track and field,” 2011 MMAC overall chairman Dave B. Guerrero said.
Ten teams had already registered for the cancer march as of Friday: Ahu, Aschoscho, Bank of Guam/Garapan Elementary School, Bodig, IT&E, Marianas Health Services/GTC Elementary School, Pacific Islands Club, Saipan Health Clnic/St. Jude Renal Care Facility, Take Care/FHP and Tan Holdings/Kagman High School.
