A step towards a life without darkness

2026-07-22

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, leading to 10 million deaths in 2020. As a worldwide problem, it is felt in Turkey, accounting for 126 335 deaths in 2020. An increase of 41.31% compared to the 89 400 deaths recorded in 2000 (Globocan, 2020). Both in Turkey and worldwide, one of the most common cancers is lung cancer. In this sense, it becomes relevant to understand which risk factors and behaviours have led to this result. According to the available data (Cancer research for cancer prevention, WHO, 2020), lung cancer is mainly caused by smoking, which accounts for about 63% of global lung cancer deaths. The same is true in Turkey. About 90% of lung cancer cases emerging in the country are caused by smoking. Given this scenario, the need to act arises, to inform the population about the harmful effects of smoking, lung cancer prevention and the adoption of healthier lifestyles. This is how this project was born, from the will to reduce the number of smokers in the country and, consequently, to reduce the number of lung cases. That said, the main objectives are: 1. Raising community awareness on the topic of smoking, lung cancer and healthy lifestyles; 2. Promote solidarity; 3. Reinforce the capacities and international scope of the participating organisations; 4. Promote diversity, Intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and raise young volunteers’ awareness and understanding other cultures and countries.

Turkey

2025-10-15