The Regional Secretary for Health stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the Azorean Government is committed to three lines of action in the fight against cancer, namely prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
 
"It is fundamental to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption, invest in healthy eating and exercise, raise awareness for importance of screenings and provide care to those with cancer by ensuring a better quality of life," said Rui Luís. He spoke Wednesday at the launch of "A Day for Life," an initiative promoted by the Regional Centre of the Portuguese League Against Cancer. 'A Day for Life' initiative, which takes place on Terceira Island on the initiative of the Regional Centre of the Portuguese League Against Cancer.
 
The Secretary for Health mentioned that it is more difficult to invest in prevention and behaviour change in adults; for that reason, there is a series of measures primarily aimed at young people to achieve results in 30 or 40 years.
 
"A Day for Life" is an international movement that emerged in Portugal in 2005. This partnership between the Portuguese League Against Cancer and the American Cancer Society has already involved 50 places and 250 thousand people.
 
The event promotes actions with the purpose informing and educating the community on cancer prevention as well as fundraising for cancer support services, research, prevention and screening programmes.
 
As regards cancer management, the Regional Secretary added that "the aim is to improve treatment and response conditions of hospitals, offering the possibility of having access to innovative medicines in some diseases."
 
Held under the motto "Celebrate, Remember, Fight," the initiative is implemented by volunteer teams, organisation of activities, fundraising for prevention programmes and research.
 
Rui Luís praised the organisation for the decision to implement the event and its launch on the day that celebrates the International Volunteer Day.
 
"We must celebrate life, bearing in mind that we live more years due to the increase in the average life expectancy. Therefore, it is important that this time be lived and celebrated with quality of life, avoiding chronic diseases, such as is the case of cancer," stressed the government official.
 
This edition of "A Day for Life" takes place over three months, with its closing scheduled for March 29. On that occasion, the community will be invited to a walk for live and against cancer.