Lovers from Kirgizstan eat an apple during a game at the Shaohuashan Mountain in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 20, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao)

WINDHOEK, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and project partners has launched a project to persuade Namibians to eat apples to fight cancers.

The main objective of the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project is to reach all Namibians with the message that prevention is better than cure and by following a healthy lifestyle, one can reduce the risk of cancer.

Bank Windhoek's Managing Director Baronice Hans said the goal this year is to distribute a million apples and break last year's record.

"The purpose of the project is not only about selling or buying apples, it is about saving lives and creating awareness," she said.

The project which is in its 17th year will kick off sales from July 3 to 31 and apples will be sold at Bank Windhoek branches and participating schools countrywide.

According to Cancer Association of Namibia CEO Rolf Hansen, since its inception, the project has raised more than 1.3 million U.S. dollars to benefit cancer patients.

"Last year the project raised a record amount of 223,636 U.S. dollars for cancer patients in Namibia," he added.

Statistics from the Namibia National Cancer Registry, administered by the Cancer Association of Namibia reveals that between 3,400 and 4,000 Namibians are newly diagnosed with cancer annually.