World Cancer Day is an international day marked on 4 February to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008. The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer[1] and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.[2] The day is observed by the United Nations.[3]
| World Cancer Day | |
|---|---|
 World Cancer Day 2017 Initiative by Project Pink Blue | |
| Also called | WCD |
| Observances | Awareness of cancer and its prevention |
| Begins | 4 February |
| Ends | 5 February |
| Date | 4 February |
| Next time | 4 February 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Cancer Disease |
World Cancer Day targets misinformation,[4] raises awareness, and reduces stigma.[5] Multiple initiatives are run on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer. Hundreds of events around the world also take place.[6]
History
editWorld Cancer Day was established on 4 February 2000 at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, which was held in Paris.
The Charter of Paris against cancer,[7] which was created to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, also included an article establishing the anniversary of the document's official signing as World Cancer Day, was signed at the Summit by the then General Director of UNESCO, Kōichirō Matsuura, and then French President Jacques Chirac in Paris on 4 February 2000.[8]
World Cancer Day themes
editThe theme for the years 2025-2027 is 'United by Unique, which "places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation."[9]
The 2022-2024 campaign theme was 'Close the care gap' that focuses on eliminating the difference in access to cancer care services faced by populations of various groups of country income, age, gender, ethnicity etc.[10]
The 2019-2021 campaign theme was 'I Am and I Will'. The theme seeks to counter the negative attitude and fatalistic belief that nothing can be done about cancer, and instead promotes how our personal actions can be powerful and impactful.[11]
In 2016, World Cancer Day started a three-year campaign under the tagline of 'We can. I can.', which explored the power of collective and individual actions to reduce the impact of cancer.[12] Prior to 2016, the campaign themes included "Not Beyond Us" (2015) and "Debunk the Myths" (2014).
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2025 -2027 | 'United by Unique'[13] |
| 2022 -2024 | 'Close the care gap'[14] |
| 2019 - 2021 | 'I Am and I Will.'[11] |
| 2016 - 2018 | 'We can. I can.'[15] |
| 2015 | Not Beyond Us[16] |
| 2014 | Debunk the Myths[17] |
| 2013 | Cancer Myths - Get the Facts [18] |
| 2012 | Together let's do something[19] |
| 2010 - 2011 | Cancer can be prevented[20] |
| 2009 - 2010 | 'I love my healthy active childhood'[21] |
Results
editWorld Cancer Day is marked by the international cancer community, governments and individuals around the world.[22] Each year, nearly 1,000 activities take place in over 100 countries,
World Cancer Day generates over 25,000 press mentions more than 150 countries, half a million social media mentions, and trends each year on social media on 4 February.[23]
In recent years, cities have begun to support the day by lighting up important landmarks in orange and blue – nearly 140 landmarks in 80 countries in 2024.[23] At least 60 governments officially observe World Cancer Day.
See also
edit- Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October in the United States)
- National Prostate Health Month (September in the United States)
- World Lymphoma Awareness Day (15 September)
- World Health Observances
References
edit- ^ "World Cancer Day 2013 One-Pager (English)". UICC. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "World Cancer Day". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ Nations, United (6 January 2015). "International Days". United Nations.
- ^ Szabo, Liz (3 February 2013). "World Cancer Day targets myths, spreads message". USA Today. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Gander, Kashmira (4 February 2016). "World Cancer Day: Why is the disease still a taboo?". The Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "WCD | We Can. I Can". www.worldcancerday.org. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium: Charter of Paris, 4 February 2000". UNESCO Digital Library.
- ^ "World Cancer Day: Why the Fourth of February?". ASCO Connection. 19 March 2012.
- ^ ""United by Unique", the new World Cancer Day theme 2025-2027 | World Cancer Day". www.worldcancerday.org. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "World Cancer Day Theme 2022-24". Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Campaign theme (I am and I will) | World Cancer Day". www.worldcancerday.org.
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2016-2018 | WCD". www.worldcancerday.org. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ World Cancer Day Theme 2025-2027
- ^ World Cancer Day Theme 2022-2024
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2018: Theme, goals and significance". The Indian Express. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2015: 'Not Beyond Us' Campaign launched! | UICC". www.uicc.org. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2014: Debunk the myths! | UICC". www.uicc.org. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "» Cancer Myths – Get the Facts on World Cancer Day – 4 Feb 2013 | CANSA – The Cancer Association of South Africa". www.cansa.org.za. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "World Cancer Day: "Stand Up To Cancer!" and End Mesothelioma and other Asbestos-Caused Cancers - ADAO - Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization". www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2010". Healthcare-in-Europe.com. 3 February 2010.
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2009". 4 February 2020.
- ^ "World Cancer Day | Description, Facts, & History". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ a b "World Cancer Day 2022-2024 campaign report".