World Cancer Day: Let's Create a Future Without Cancer

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Highlights:

• World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on 4^th February across the globe
• It generates awareness about cancer and emphasizes that effective preventive and treatment measures are now at hand
• Its major objective is to reduce the global burden of cancer

World Cancer Day is celebrated on 4^th February every year across the entire globe. Since World Cancer Day began in the year 2000, this year marks its 20^th anniversary. It is organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), which is the first international cancer organization to be established. UICC plays a leading role in advocacy and capacity building initiatives for uniting all stakeholders to reduce the global burden of cancer, promote equity, and prioritize cancer on the global health agenda.

Since the establishment of World Cancer Day, there has been phenomenal progress in many fronts, including an increase in public awareness, advancements in cancer research, innovations in technology, and greater political will. Importantly, cancer had received a tremendous boost since 2019, when the World Health Organization (WHO) included the disease within the category of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), as one of the top ten threats to global public health.

Genesis of World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day was established on 4^th February in the year 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, which was held in Paris, France. At this Summit, six cancer leaders drafted the Charter of Paris on Cancer, which aims to promote access to quality cancer care, increase funding for cancer research, encourage greater understanding of the disease, and support cancer patients to live with dignity and respect.

‘World Cancer Day is celebrated on 4th February every year. It generates awareness about cancer and highlights the fact that effective preventive and treatment options are now available to tackle the disease.’

On 4^th February 2000, the Charter of Paris on Cancer was signed by then President of France, Jacques Chirac and then Director General of UNESCO, Kōichirō Matsuura. This Paris Charter has since been adopted by numerous international cancer organizations around the globe.

World Cancer Day Theme: �I Am and I Will'

The World Cancer Day Theme for 2019-2021 is �I Am and I Will'. Therefore, 2020 marks the midway point of the �I Am and I Will' Campaign, which calls-to-action the whole-hearted commitment by individuals across the world to take action now in order to have a future free from cancer.

This campaign, spanning over three years, provides a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact by sustained public awareness efforts through various events and activities to inspire change.

Cancer: Facts & Figures

• Cancer can affect anyone, anytime, anywhere
• Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide
• 17 people die every minute from cancer worldwide
• 9.6 million people die from cancer every year worldwide
• 3.7 million lives could be saved every year by early detection and treatment
• 70 percent of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
• 87 percent of cancer cases occur above the age of 50 years
• A third of all common cancers are preventable
• Total annual economic cost of cancer worldwide is USD 1.16 trillion

Ways to Get Involved in the World Cancer Day Celebrations

There are numerous ways to get involved and contribute to the celebrations, some of which are briefly highlighted below:

• Organizing Events: Cancer-related events and activities, such as cancer screening camps, popular talks, and sponsored fun-runs to raise funds can be organized to create awareness about cancer
• Distributing Campaign Materials: World Cancer Day campaign materials, such as posters, banners, pamphlets, infographics, and factsheets can be distributed to generate cancer awareness among the general public
• Lighting-Up Landmarks: Prominent landmarks, monuments and buildings can be lit-up in �Orange & �Blue' - the awareness colors for World Cancer Day. This year, Niagara Falls, Geneva's Jet d'eau, and Stockholm's Kakn�s TV Tower are being lit-up
• Posting on Social Media: Customized social media posts can be created by cancer survivors to convey personal stories, experiences, and challenges faced in their battle against cancer
• Advocating for Cancer: Local political leaders can be contacted to encourage them to show their support and commitment, raise public awareness, develop policies, and take affirmative action that benefits cancer patients
• Spreading the Word: Writing cancer-related articles in newspapers, newsletters, personal websites and blogs, as well as posting video messages on social media sites such as YouTube are effective ways of spreading the message
• Wearing �Orange & Blue': Wearing �Orange & Blue' colored awareness ribbons, wrist bands, lapel pins, caps, T-shirts and other apparel will show support for cancer patients

(https:www.uicc.org/events/world-cancer-day-2020)

Source: Medindia

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