World Digestive Health Day is annually observed across the globe on 29th May to highlight the importance of digestive health and create awareness about digestive disorders and diseases and promote the prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management and treatment of the disease.
- The day also marks the anniversary of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) foundation.
The theme of World Digestive Health Day 2022 is “Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Getting Back on Track”.
The 2022 theme highlights the prevention of Colorectal Cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the world.
Background:
i.World Digestive Health Day came into existence in 2004 on the 45th anniversary of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) foundation
ii.Starting from 2005 the Member Societies and members of the WGO were invited to begin World Digestive Health Day activities.
About Colorectal Cancer:
i.Colorectal cancer, also called Colon Cancer or Rectal Cancer, starts in the colon or the rectum.
ii.The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which is part of the digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) system
iii.The risk of developing colorectal cancer can be reduced by increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting the consumption of alcohol and avoiding the consumption of tobacco.
About World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO):
President– Professor Guilherme Macedo (Portugal)
Headquarters– Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America(USA)
