INTERNATIONAL – Being overweight or obese have become major risk factors for developing cancer, particularly among women and in more developed countries, the specialized cancer agency of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday, November 26^th, 2014.

Overweight and obesity are responsible for an estimated 481,000 – or 3.6 per cent – of all new cancer cases in 2012, and reducing such health issues at the population level could have significant health benefits, according to a new study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The study, which was published inThe Lancet Oncology on Wednesday, November 26th, also shows that one quarter of all cancers attributable to overweight and obesity worldwide – 118,000 cases – could have been prevented if populations had simply maintained their average body-mass index of 30 years ago.

“The number of cancers linked to obesity and overweight is expected to rise globally along with economic development,” Dr. Christopher Wild, Director of IARC, said in apress release.

“This study stresses the importance of putting in place efficient weight control measures, to curb the high number of cancers associated with excess body weight and to avoid the problems faced by rich countries being repeated in those now undergoing rapid development,” he added.

Cancer due to overweight and obesity is currently far more common in more developed countries – which reported 393,000 cases, or 5.2 per cent of all new cancer cases – than in less developed countries – which reported 88,000 cases, or 1.5 per cent of all new cancer cases.

North America remains the most affected, with an estimated 111,000 obesity-related cancers in 2012, accounting for 23 per cent of the total global cancer burden linked to high body-mass index, the agency said.

In Europe, the proportion of cancers due to overweight and obesity is also large, particularly in Eastern Europe – which reported 65,000 cases, or 6.5 per cent of all new cancer cases in the region, according to the study.

Overall, the countries with the highest cancer burden attributable to overweight and obesity in men are the Czech Republic (5.5 per cent of the country’s new cancer cases); Jordan (4.5 per cent); the United Kingdom (4.4 per cent); and Malta (4.4 per cent).

Among women, Barbados (12.7 per cent), the Czech Republic (12.0 per cent) and Puerto Rico (11.6 per cent) are most affected. In the United States – one of the largest contributors of global cancers associated with high body-mass index – 3.5 per cent and 9.5 per cent of the country’s new cancer cases are linked to excess body weight in men and women, respectively.

Although in most Asian countries the proportion of cancers associated with overweight and obesity is not large, it still translates into a considerable absolute number of cases due to the large population size, the study noted.

For example, in China, about 50,000 cancer cases in women and men are associated with overweight and obesity, accounting for 1.6 per cent of the country’s new cancer cases, according to the study.

In contrast, the contribution of overweight and obesity to cancer burden remains low in Africa – which had 7,300 cases, or 1.5 per cent of all new cancer cases in the continent.

“Overall, we see that while the number of cancer cases associated with overweight and obesity remains highest in richer countries, similar effects are already visible in parts of the developing world,” said Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, one of the study’s lead authors and the project’s principal investigator.

A high body-mass index is a known risk factor for cancers of the oesophagus, colon, rectum, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, postmenopausal breast, ovary and endometrium, as well as for other non-communicable diseases, notably cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

A body-mass index is a measure of body fat that is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in metres.

The study also highlights that the proportion of cancers related to obesity is higher in women than in men, with population-attributable fractions of 5.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively.

“Women are disproportionately affected by obesity-related cancers,” said IARC’s Dr. Melina Arnold, one of the study’s lead authors.

“For example, for postmenopausal breast cancer, the most common cancer in women worldwide, the study suggests that 10 per cent of these cancers could have been prevented by having a healthy body weight.”

INTERNATIONAL – Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic that destroys lives, fractures communities and holds back development, United NationsSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as the world body ON Tuesday, November 25^th marked the International Day to End Violence against Women.

“But violence against women and girls does not emerge from nowhere. It is simply the most extreme example of the political, financial, social and economic oppression of women and girls worldwide,” Mr. Bansaidat an Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) event at Headquarters.

Joining Mr. Ban at Tuesday’s panel discussion were UN Women Executive-Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; First Lady of New York, Chirlane McCray, and actor Teri Hatcher, among others.

This year’s theme ofOrange Your Neighbourhoodpromises grassroots action to raise awareness in local communities. For example, the UN Secretariat building and the Empire State Building were lit orange last night, and many wore orange today to show support and solidarity in ending the scourge that affects one in three women worldwide.

Violence against women is not confined to just one region, political system, culture or social class, Mr. Ban explained today. It is present at every level of every society in the world. It happens in peacetime and becomes worse during conflict.

This year alone, we have seen the kidnapping of more than 200 girls in Nigeria; the Indian schoolgirls who were raped, killed and hung from a tree; graphic testimony from Iraqi women of rape and sexual slavery during war; the continued bullying of women on the internet.

Governments, workplaces, universities and sports authorities are stepping up much-needed action to end sexual violence. More than 80 per cent of governments have passed laws on domestic violence and sexual harassment.

However, their implementation is often slow and uneven. And fragile gains continue to be threatened by extremism and a backlash against women’s rights.

“It is up to everyone to play their part; women’s rights are not only women’s business. Men and boys are finally taking their place as partners in this battle. TheHeForShe campaignI launched two months ago brings together one half of humanity in support of the other,” Mr. Ban said.

Echoing that, UN-Women’s Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka explained that this Day is an opportunity to “shine an orange light” on violence against women that takes place at home, in schools, nations, cities, and villages. She urged for support to confront that “horror” and “extinguish it.”

“This is an important moment as the world is getting ready to gear up to the post-2015 plan of action,” Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said, highlighting that the issue of fighting violence against women will be high on the future global development agenda.

“No culture, no nation, no woman – old or young – is immune to this human rights violation,” she added.

“And these women are determined to reclaim their lives,” she said, urging that “there is no time for complacency or excuses, the time to act is now.”

“We need young people, members of Parliament and political parties, religious and traditional leaders as well as men and boys to play their roles,” the UN-Women chief explained.

“We know what works now. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) initiative, along with other studies, has generated quite some data and best practices that demonstrate that the importance of protecting women and girls and providing services to those who fall victim to these horrendous crimes.”

“We are in a unique position in history and a lot of will among the people of the world to forge ahead and conquer violence against women,” she said.

Recalling meeting women who have been victims of violence, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said that she “forever will be haunted by their suffering” but also inspired by their courage.

One of those personal stories shared today was that of actress Teri Hatcher, who hoped her experiences would “shed light on the dangers of remaining silent about sexual abuse.” Ms. Hatcher was abused by her uncle and after she remained silent about it, the man went on to abuse a young woman who later committed suicide.

Upon learning of that tragedy, Ms. Hatcher spoke up against her uncle, who was then convicted and sentenced to prison, where he died. “But nothing could undo the devastating violence he had caused,” she acknowledged.

“I’m the ‘one in three women,’” Ms. Hatcher said referring to statistics on the one billion women worldwide who suffer from violence, which forever affects self-esteem, self-worth and self-happiness.

“When society shames the victim by asking why did you stay instead of asking ‘why did he abuse her,’ we just…foster a society where the abuser continues to abuse,” Ms. Thatcher said stressing the need to break stigma so that victims are unafraid to speak up.

“As long as violence is a part of any woman’s story, silence will not be a part of mine,” she said.

Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York, said that the Mayor’s office is “working day and night” to connect with women and girls in communities to inform them about the city centres available to those who suffer from violence.

“We know that violence against women and girls is a global problem that requires a global solution,” said Ms. McCray. But cities and local Governments such as New York’s can help in such efforts.

For instance, New York’s official first agreement with the UN – a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today by the First Lady and UN Women’s Executive Director – commits to making areas in the city safe for all women and girls and free of sexual harassment.

“Every day, in cities across the globe, women and girls are trapped in lives defined by fear and violence. Here in New York City, we have launched a comprehensive effort to connect victims to the resources they need to break the cycle and establish their independence. But we must do even more, which is why we are joining the UN Women’s Safe Cities Global Initiative,” said Ms. McCray.

“We are committed to doing our part to create a world – and a city – where all women and girls can live their lives without fear of violence.”

New York is the first city in the United States to join the safe city initiative. The city is also leading on women’s leadership roles, as the city government’s majority is female and universal prekindergarten, a “game-changer” for many working mothers.

INTERNATIONAL - The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, November 25 that while Ebola response targets for December 1 in West Africa may be reached in many places, they may not be met in some areas, and confirmed two new cases in Mali amid ramped up efforts to reduce the likelihood that additional cases will be imported from neighbouring Guinea.

“The identification of patient contacts for daily monitoring has reportedly reached 99 per cent,” WHO said. “Based on experiences in Senegal and Nigeria, this achievement could augur well for rapid containment of Mali’s outbreak.” Senegal and Nigeria, which had been affected, are now Ebola-free.

“Most of these patients had symptom onset in early to mid-November, indicating ongoing chains of transmission,” WHO said in apress releasethat confirmed the two additional cases that brings to eight the total number of reported cases in Mali.

“With WHO support, staff from Mali’s Ministry of Health will be meeting with health officials from Guinea to discuss cross-border measures for coordinating control efforts and reducing the likelihood that additional cases will be imported from Guinea into Mali,” the UN health agency said.

The United Nations, as part of its intensified support to both the preparedness and response efforts of the Malian Government, will be opening on Wednesday, November 26th an office of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) in Bamako, the capital.

UNMEERs’ Guinea office, meanwhile, reported that community reticence in many areas remains the main obstacle to contact tracing. Ebola is spreading in the north up to the border with Mali, an area with no functioning treatment centres or transit centres.

In response to a question at the UN press briefing in Geneva, WHO Spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said the December 1 targets for treatment and burials and set by his organization in its response to Ebola would likely be reached in many places, but not in others.

UNMEER head Anthony Banbury had said in media interviews that the mission is already exceeding its 1 December targets in some areas, but that it is almost certain the targets will not be reached in all areas.

The targets are the so-called “70-70-60 plan” which aims to try to get 70 per cent of the cases isolated and treated, and 70 per cent of the deceased safely buried within 60 days from the beginning of October to 1 December.

UNMEER also reported that 150 health workers from the West African countries of from Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger and Nigeria will be trained in Accra, Ghana this week to help tackle Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In Liberia, UNMEER said it plans have two or three of its helicopters positioned in Monrovia by next week to ensure immediate dispatch of teams and supplies to any outbreak.

And as of today, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), $807.5 million of the $1.5 billion Ebola response plan for West Africa was funded, which represented 54 percent of the appeal met.

Meanwhile, theUN Global Compactwill convene an event in New York on December 11 in cooperation with the Ebola Private Sector Mobilization Group, a coalition of over 35 companies with major assets and operations in West Africa mobilizing business resources, to support front-line Ebola humanitarian relief efforts while also advocating for a more concerted global response to the outbreak and recovery.

Along with counterparts from the UN, governments and civil society, CEOs will gather at this event to share examples of interventions by business to support the Ebola response, identify lessons learned, explore how successes can be replicated and discuss the role of business in long-term recovery, according to the UN Global Compact.

POINT BLANCHE – The port authorities of Aruba and Curacao have made a strategic agreement where they will pursue cruise tourism in the Southern Caribbean and seek relationships with other ports that are in the process of developing their own cruise product.  The main objective is to strengthen shipping in this part of the Caribbean from the perspective of commerce and cruise.

Aruba received in 2013 over 688,000 cruise passengers, an 18.2 per cent increase when compared to 2012 when the country catered to over 582,000 cruise passengers. 

Curacao in 2013 received over half a million cruise passengers (585,381) or a 34.2 per cent increase when compared to 2012 when the island received 436,068 cruise passengers.

Cruise destinations in the North Eastern and Western Caribbean will be analysing this move to see what it will mean for their destinations and how the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) will view this as well. 

The Southern Caribbean cruise market is seen as a developing market which offers a variety of Southern Caribbean, Central and South American cruise stops.

With a number of cruise ships being constructed by the cruise industry annually, cruise watchers are of the opinion that things will balance out and destinations in the North Eastern and Western Caribbean won’t have anything to worry about.

Curacao Ports Authority (CPA) and Aruba Ports Authority (APA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a one-year period.  This is an agreement of mutual interest to promote economic prosperity for both countries through commerce.

The MoU promotes the exchange of information between both ports; as well as looking at competitive advantages within the Caribbean Basin; exploring joint marketing opportunities; and exchanging information about other aspects of the maritime industry.  Part of the planning is to sign other agreements with ports in the Southern Caribbean.

The two ports will review the MoU after a year. (SOUALIGA NEWSDAY REPORT)