Cancer will affect 50% of people in their lifetime.
Today (February 4th) marks World Cancer Day.
World Cancer day is a global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
Created in 2000, each year hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organisations and individuals to raise awareness and funds for cancer services and research.
50% of Irish people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
The Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to avail of cancer screening programmes available in this country.
44,000 people are diagnosed every year in Ireland, with skin cancer being the most common form of the disease here.
Director of Clinical Affairs at the ICS, Amy Nolan has this advice:
"It's really important that people avail of the cancer screening programs that we have available in this country.
"We also have early detection roadshows that are all around."
In honour of World Cancer Day, three Irish charities joined forces to 'Face Up To Cancer.'
Breast Cancer Ireland, Breakthrough Cancer Research and the Marie Keating Foundation have come together to raise funds in support of cancer research and support services.
Stephen Teap became a patient advocate after he lost his wife Irene to cervical cance in 2017.
Chatting to iRadio's Fionnuala Corbett, Stephen praised the charities for their hard work:
"I think it's a fantastic campaign going at the moment, with three very good Irish charities.
"All of the funding that they need, unfortunately doesn't come from the Government, it comes from fundraising.
"People are now living longer with cancer, which increases the importance of these charities."
