World Cancer Day 2023

World Cancer Day 

World Cancer Day is celebrated to increase cancer awareness and support cancer prevention, detection, and treatment on 4 February every year. The Union International Cancer Control (UICC) organizes World Cancer Day to promote the 2008 World Cancer Declaration. The primary purpose of World Cancer Day is to drastically reduce cancer-related disease and mortality and unite the international community to eliminate the injustice of cancer-related suffering. In addition, world Cancer Day aims to dispel myths, boost awareness, and eliminate the stigma around cancer. 

On World Cancer Day, several actions are held to demonstrate support for cancer patients. One of these initiatives is #NoHairSelfie, a worldwide initiative in which “hairticipants” shave their heads, either literally or online, as a gesture of courage for cancer patients. Participants’ photos are then published widely on social media. In addition, hundreds of other events take place all around the world.

History

On 4 February 2000, World Cancer Day was founded during the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. On 4 February 2000, the then-General Director of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, and then-French President Jacques Chirac signed the Charter of Paris Against Cancer in Paris, which was created to promote research, prevent cancer, and improve patient services. It also included an article establishing the document’s official signing anniversary as World Cancer Day.

World Cancer Day 2022

This year’s World Cancer Day theme is “closing the care gap.” And thankfully, a lot of efforts are taken to offer high-quality cancer care to nations where it has previously been unavailable. Breast cancer is the most common cancer, cervical cancer, which you can eradicate, and children’s cancer focus on WHO’s efforts. Each of these programs focuses on low- and middle-income nations, where you may accomplish the most significant benefits in public health. Do you know? More than 200 partners from across the globe are working on these integrated global cancer efforts, including essential development banks that have significantly boosted their contributions to cancer research, prevention, and care.

National cancer centers are crucial to a holistic strategy. The relevance of national cancer centers in delivering a holistic approach to cancer therapy has been demonstrated by experience. Bringing prevention, diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment, and supportive care services together in one location makes it simpler for patients to access services and results in a more significant concentration of knowledge, which leads to better health outcomes. 

In addition, cancer centers can act as a training and research hubs, assisting in developing country capacity and expertise. The World Health Organization has created a cancer center and enhancing current centers’ services. It gives specifics on the infrastructure, human resources, and equipment necessary for essential services, considering the local context and available resources. It is aimed at policymakers, program managers, and health professionals.

All Events: 2022 Events Calendar

Fun Fact