Biomedical Laboratory Science Day 2009 Print

BLS day 2009

 		The theme for the International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day is Cancer – “Today find the cause - tomorrow find the cure”.

According to WHO cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide.

Cancer accounts for 7.9 million deaths in 2007. Experts have made an estimate that about 30 percent of cancer deaths can be prevented.

Worldwide deaths from cancer are projected to continue to rise, and by 2030 there is an estimate of 12 millions deaths.

Use of Tobacco is the single most important risk factor for cancer. In 2007 over 70 percent of all cancer deaths worldwide occurred in low- and middle income countries. Among women the most frequent types of cancer worldwide are breast, lung, stomach, colorectal and cervical. Among men the most frequent types are lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, oesophagus and prostate.

Early detection is of great importance. WHO states that about one-third of the cancer burden could be decreased if cases were detected and treated early. This is based on that treatment is more effective when cancer is detected earlier.

The approach to detect more cancer early is to educate people to recognize early signs of cancer and seek prompt medical attention for symptoms, and to use screening programmes to identify early cancer or pre-cancer before signs are recognizable, including mammography.

Risk factors for getting cancer is tobacco use, being overweight or obese, having low fruit and vegetable intake, being physical inactive, use of alcohol, sexually transmitted HPV-infection, urban air pollution and indoor smoke from household use of solid fuels.

WHO and other organisations within United Nations, and collaboration partners have prepared a list for cancer prevention and control. You can read more here: http://www.who.int/cancer/publications/en/index.html

Promote and celebrate
The purpose with the BLS Day is to increase the awareness of the role that Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (BLS) have in providing health care and for 2009 and 2010; in preventing, diagnosing and curing cancer.

BLS’ play an important role in diagnosis, quality development and assurance, treatment, research, development, and public health care.

Among the actions WHO have described to prevent and control cancer our profession plays a vital role regarding screening programs; including cytology for cervical cancer. We contribute in developing standards and tools for early detection. BLS’ plays a vital role in the monitoring for treatment for cancer. We work actively to develop and strengthen health care systems.

The International BLS Day gives our profession a day to promote and celebrate ourselves as a profession. The theme for 2009 involves professional and political issues on both global and local levels.
On behalf of the IFBLS’ council I hope that you use the BLS Day actively and promote the BLS’ professional skills and contributions to ensure good health services.

Happy BLS day!

Gry Andersen, IFBLS President

The poster for the BLS day can be downloaded as a .pdf here

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