Toward the World Code Against Cancer

Overwhelmed by an abundance of often confusing, ambiguous, or apparently contradictory messages on disease prevention in today’s multiple media streams, the general public would surely value authoritative, clear, and evidence-based instructions on how to actively contribute to the reduction of their cancer risk. The European Code Against Cancer is a set of 12 recommendations for individuals on how to reduce cancer risk. The Code carries the authority and reliability of expert scientists working under the coordination of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer research agency of the WHO. The Code’s messages are aimed at individuals and have been enthusiastically promoted by European cancer associations. The experience of developing and promoting the European Code has generated interest in developing analogous recommendations for other regions of the world. Under the overall umbrella of a World Code Against Cancer using the same International Agency for Research on Cancer methodology, regional Codes could be developed, focused on regions sufficiently large and distinct to merit development of versions adapted to regional differences in risk factors and cancer patterns. Consideration of such an adapted model illustrates why a simple translation of the European Code would not be sufficient to promote cancer prevention globally.