The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is calling on British Columbians to make one simple lifestyle change to reduce their cancer risk. The “My One Thing” initiative is based on the knowledge that about half of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the public.
Approximately 23,800 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in BC and that figure is set to grow dramatically. There will be a 70 per cent increase in cancers in the next 20 years unless something changes. While BC historically has lower cancer rates than the rest of the country, the Society believes focusing on prevention is a game changer for the fight against cancer.
“Imagine if half of the people who are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, didn’t receive that diagnosis,” explains Barbara Kaminsky, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon. “That’s almost 12,000 people who wouldn’t have to face the realities of battling cancer and countless families and friends would be saved from hearing the life-altering news that a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis. Isn’t that worth making one change?”
The premise of the initiative is to encourage British Columbians to commit to making one change to reduce their cancer risk – from taking the stairs at work to eating more vegetables. People are encouraged to write down their one thing and share it through their own social media channels and through myonething.ca.
“We hope that by using peer-to-peer encouragement, we can influence behaviour changes that will impact cancer risk,” says Kaminsky. “It’s an initiative to empower individuals in an easy, accessible and realistic way.”
The initiative has already gained support in the public, including from Vancouver Whitecaps FC President, Bob Lenarduzzi.
“Like many other Canadians, cancer has affected me personally and has motivated me to commit to the fight against cancer,” says Lenarduzzi. “I think too often we mistakenly believe that cancer prevention is out of our hands or requires a major change in our lifestyle. This initiative reminds us all that cancer prevention is up to each one of us and together, we can make a difference.”
Whitecaps FC are dedicating their match this Saturday against Real Salt Lake to the Canadian Cancer Society by highlighting Camp Goodtimes and the My One Thing initiative. Society volunteers will be at the game.