February 4 - World Cancer Day

 

Every year on February 4th, World Cancer Day seeks to spread awareness for cancer. This day also focuses on the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. 

Every year, seventeen million new cases of cancer throughout the world are diagnosed. Cancer will be fatal for nearly ten million of those who receive this news.  

By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be 27.5 million new cases of cancer. The most common cancers include lung, female breast, bowel, and prostate. 

Despite the prevalence, it is possible to reduce the risk of getting cancer. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, these things can help to prevent many types of cancer: 

• • Avoid tobacco or stop using it 

• • Eat a diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, and limited amounts of processed meat 

• • Maintain a healthy weight 

• • Do at least thirty minutes of physical activity each day 

• • Protect yourself from the sun 

• • Never have unprotected sex 

• • Keep up with routine medical screenings 

Sadly, it’s not just adults who get cancer. This deadly disease also affects children. About three hundred thousand children around the world are diagnosed with cancer each year.  

In the United States, cancer is the most common cause of death by disease for children. Some of the most common types of childhood cancers include leukemia, brain cancers, lymphomas, and solid tumors.  

Many childhood cancers do not have a known cause. Early diagnosis and access to treatment greatly increases survival. 

Certain countries have higher cancer rates than others. Australia has the most new cases of cancer.  

Every year, there are four hundred and sixty-eight new cases for every one hundred thousand residents. The United States ranks fifth on the list.  

Each year, there are about three hundred and fifty-two new cases per one hundred thousand residents.  

Other countries that have high rates of cancer include New Zealand, Ireland, Hungary, Belgium, France, and Denmark. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

This day is organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). 

Events on this day include free cancer screenings, educational discussions on recognizing the signs and symptoms of cancer, training public health officials on how to detect cancer, and live events on social media.  

A provider of cancer services, The Icon Group, encourages its staff, partners, and loved ones to spread messages of hope on paper butterflies to those who need it most. 

To participate: 

• • Reach out to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer 

• • Learn about the ways to prevent the risk of cancer 

• • Donate to a cancer support or cancer research organization 

• • Read about famous cancer survivors like Colin Powell, Olivia Newton-John, and Robin Roberts 

• • Wear a lavender ribbon to spread cancer awareness (there are also other colors that represent specific types of cancer) 

• • If you’ve been affected by cancer, share your story to encourage others. 

Whatever you do on this day, be sure to share it on social media with #WorldCancerDay. 

HISTORY 

The UICC established World Cancer Day on February 4th, 2000. The day was founded in Paris, France at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium. 

Today, there are over nine hundred World Cancer Day events held in one hundred and twenty-seven countries. 

#WorldCancerDay 

#CancerSucks

@WorldAgainstCancer

@cancer.gov 

@MayoClinic 

@uicc.org 

@icongroupglobal 

@GenPowellIn2020 

@olivianj 

@RobinRoberts 

@nichecinema 

February 4 - Ida Lupino

Happy Birthday, Ida Lupino! Born today in 1918, this English-American singer, actress, producer and director is widely regarded as one of the most prominent female filmmakers working during the 1950s in the Hollywood studio system. 

  

As an actress, Lupino is best known for co-starring in American film director and producer Henry Hathaway's 1935 American black and white drama/fantasy film 'Peter Ibbetson' as Agnes. 

Lupino is also best known for co-starring in American film director and actor Raoul Walsh's ('The Thief of Bagdad', 'White Heat') 1941 American black and white drama/thriller heist film 'High Sierra' as Marie, a dance-hall girl. 

  

As a director, Lupino is known for co-writing and directing the 1953 American black and white crime/thriller film 'The Hitch-Hiker'.

‘The Hitch-Hiker' is regarded as the first American mainstream film noir directed by a woman. It was released in late March. 

However, Lupino is also best known for directing and co-starring in the 1953 American black and white film noir/drama film 'The Bigamist'. It was released in early December.

'The Bigamist' was made on an estimated budget of $175,000. In the film, Lupino plays an interesting woman named Phyllis Martin. The film also stars Joan Fontaine, Edmond O’Brien and Edmund Gwenn.

San Francisco businessman Harry Graham (Edmond O'Brien) and his wife and business partner, Eve (Joan Fontaine), are in the process of adopting a child.  

When private investigator Mr. Jordan (Edmund Gwenn) uncovers the fact that Graham has another wife, Phyllis Martin (Lupino), and a small child in Los Angeles, he confesses everything.  

In flashback, Graham tells of the strains in his marriage with Eve and how he found himself falling for the kind-hearted waitress Phyllis while on a business trip. 

American film producer and writer Collier Young worked on many films in the 1950s. He was married to Joan Fontaine at the time and had previously been married to Lupino. 

Young had written and co-produced the film. He also has an uncredited role as Canton Café Barfly. 

‘The Bigamist’ has been cited as the first American feature film in which the female star of a film directed herself. It is now in the public domain.

Originally set up as an RKO production, 'The Bigamist' fell into difficulties when RKO pulled out, leaving the film without distribution. 

The film is the only time Lupino ever directed herself. This would also be the last feature film directed by Lupino for more than twelve years until ‘The Trouble with Angels’ (1966). 

In 1998, 'The Hitch-Hiker' was selected in 1998 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. It is also now in the public domain. 

  

Lupino had been active from 1931–1978. 

  

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