World Cancer Day

Introduction

World Cancer Day is the one singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. It takes place every year on 4 February. World Cancer Day aims to prevent millions of deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease.

History

Cancer remains one of the greatest enemies to our health and wellbeing in the 21st century. At the current rate, it will soon surpass cardiovascular disease as the number one cause of death. Almost none of us are untouched by cancer, we probably all know at least someone who has faced cancer head-on or has had a near miss. At the World Summit against Cancer held at Paris in the year 2000, national representatives from all over the world declared the 4th of February to be World Cancer Day. The aim of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness and understanding all aspects of cancer, and to remind governments all over the world of this issue.

UICC support for cancer awareness

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC), an organization dedicated to increasing global cancer awareness, coordinates World Cancer Day and is supported in this effort by WHO and other international organizations. World Cancer Day serves as a formal

launching point for the declaration of new themes and the release of new publications for the UICC’s World Cancer Campaign, which functions throughout the year and strives to raise cancer awareness by forming partnerships with health and cancer institutions and by proposing educational activities and creating public service announcements.

What happens on cancer day!

In honour of World Cancer Day, many health institutions and cancer centres make available on their Web sites various educational publications and materials about cancer and cancer prevention. In some places World Cancer Day is recognized with a parade or a local fund-raising event, such as a walk, a gala, a concert, or an auction. In addition, some countries air special television broadcasts or radio programs about cancer during the week in which World Cancer Day occurs. World Cancer Day and the World Cancer Campaign have become important mechanisms for drawing attention to cancer prevention and treatment in these countries nowadays.

Theme of World Cancer day 2022

The theme of this year’s observance is “Close the Care Gap” which is intended to increase awareness about inequities in cancer care. This is the first year of a 3-year campaign designed to highlight barriers related to socioeconomic factors, stigma and discrimination that prevent many people from around the world from accessing potentially life-saving preventive services, screening, treatment and care.

“By 2030, it is estimated that 75% of all premature deaths due to cancer will occur in low- and middle- income countires.” Says Anil d’Cruz who is the President of the Union for International Cancer Control and director of oncology at Apollo Hospitals in India. Importantly, this care gap is not only between high and low resource settings. Disparities exist within most countries among different populations due to discrimination or assumptions that encompass age, cultural contexts, gender norma, sexual orientation, ethnicity, income, education levels and lifestyle issues. These factors potentially reduce a person’s chance of surviving cancer and they can and must be addressed.