INKHOSIKATI LaMbikiza has applauded the efforts of those who led to the adoption of the charter of Paris in 2000 and the whole of VICC in making the world sensitive to cancer in 2006. She says the first world cancer day in 2006 called for everyone to come together and generate cancer awareness among the general public.

Speaking at Shiselweni II Inkhundla, the Inkhosikati represented by Princess Sidvumolesihle during the world cancer day commemoration, said all institutions should use available resources and forms readily available to them to increase public knowledge on cancer. The inkhosikati said the focus for 2010 was on the child, and therefore urged everyone to encourage children to be conscious of cancer prevention methods, including active childhood, which is one way the risk of cancer can be reduced.

“Healthy diet that includes eating low energy food, freshly grown food, low salt, no processed food or meat, no alcohol and not skipping meals is encouraged among everyone. It is high time people learn to maintain healthy body weight and that can be achieved through activity,” she said. Make LaMbikiza encouraged schools, consumer groups, communities, health centres, sport associations and the media to establish clear points that shall promote healthy eating habits, maintenance of healthy body weight and activities that make children more active.

She also called for an increased need to ensure that the places of work and home were more enjoyable, easier and safer places to be active. She urged parents to make sure their children play games that involve moving around a lot such as skipping, dancing or running. She said it was a concern that healthy home prepared meals were now being replaced by fast foods from outlets.