“Together let’s do something” bearing this slogan the World Cancer Day has been observed worldwide. According to the WHO, around 7.6 million people died in 2005 due to cancer disease. A policy for creating awareness and cancer prevention has been compiled at World Health Summit in 2005. It was apprehended in the policy that between 2005 and 2015 at least 84 million people will die for cancer in the world, and 60% of them would be from developing and middle income countries. Cancer is a disease which is both costly and complicated in treatment. So it is better to prevent then to cure. Despite this, Tobacco (Bidi, Cigarette, Tobacco Leaf and other form of chewing tobacco) use, taking extra-oily, junk and Fast Foods, drinking soft drinks are considered as the major risk causing factors to cancer. Development workers and activists informed these at a leaflet campaign for cancer awareness organized by SERAC-Bangladesh at Mymensingh Railway Station in Mymensingh on February 4, 2012.

Speakers also said that, 57 thousand people die each year in Bangladesh only for tobacco related diseases. To aware the illiterate community about harms of tobacco use, the pictorial warning must be given on at least 50% space of the tobacco product covers and a specific policy for tobacco tax increase should be included in the Tobacco Control Law. Soft drinks generally contain water, harmful Carbon dioxide, Carbonic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Artificial colors and preservatives. Junk Food and Fast Food are also causing fat and cancer to the people. However by last few years, consumption practice of such food has increased alarmingly. This has now been spread out not only in urban but also in rural areas and creating threat to public health. Regular advertisements are also attracting people towards these food products. Considering the risk of cancer it is high time to omit tobacco, junk food, fast food and soft drinks. 

The campaign was coordinated by SERAC-Bangladesh Executive Director S.M.Shaikat where Disha Executive Director Md. Rafiqul Islam, SERAC-Bangladesh Coordinator Shahina Yasmin, Assistant Program Officer Md. Nurul Alam Pavel, Project Officer Md. Barkatullah Bhuiyan spoke while SERAC-Bangladesh Social Communicator Md.Tarikul Islam, Businessmen Arifur Rahman, Dipak Chandra, Humayun Kabir and people from all spheres of the society attended. Activists urged the government to frame policy for controlling such food products through creating awareness, increasing tax and law development.