On the occasion of the centenary of the League Against Cancer, an exceptional day was organized at the National Theatre of Nice. The program included debates and discussions around public health and environmental themes.
Held in the Michel Simon room, sheltered from bad weather, various exchanges and speeches took place on Friday, November 30th. At the initiative of the League Against Cancer of the Alpes-Maritimes, the public debate “Shall We Discuss?” brought together numerous health professionals, city officials, and journalists. The focus was particularly on prevention, the lack of tools and information in France, compared to the significant investments made in the field of treatment.
“The paradox today is that cancer mortality has decreased while the risk of developing it has increased,” explains Professor Franck Chauvin, president of the High Council of Public Health. Hence, the importance of strengthening citizen involvement in prevention policies and health promotion.
What is at stake today, besides alcohol and tobacco, is the quality of our environment. The air, water, and land can all be polluted due to human activity (industry, agriculture, traffic). Thus, it is urgent to measure and control pollution levels in the territories. The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, recalled his commitment to public health and cited actions already undertaken. The modernization of public transportation and the reduction of automobile traffic are examples.
The various speakers all mentioned the need to inform young people about the risks associated with bad habits, such as alcohol, tobacco, or a too-rich diet. In a more general sense, Franck Chauvin presented the report of the General States of Cancer Prevention, emphasizing the pressures at work within our health system.
The tone of this day, rich in reflection, was not negative; on the contrary, it was filled with hope and determination. Act, inform, and heal. And perhaps one day, speak of cancer in the past tense.
Robin Poncelet
