National Cancer Awareness Day (NCAD) is annually observed across India on 7 November to raise awareness about the prevention, detection, and treatment of various types of cancer.
- NCAD aims to educate the public about early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and access to quality cancer care.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, representing nearly 1 in 6 deaths globally.
Cancer Awareness Symbol:
i.A lavender ribbon is usually a sign of support for those living with all types of cancer.
ii.There are more than 50 ribbons that represent different cancers and their survivors and caregivers.
- Breast cancer: Pink Ribbon;
- Lung cancer: Pearl or white Ribbon, etc.
Background:
i.National Cancer Awareness Day was initiated in India in September 2014 by Dr Harsh Vardhan, the former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
ii.A committee was formed and it was declared that November 7 of every year would be observed as NCAD to raise awareness about early detection and the avoidance of cancer-causing behaviours.
iii.The first NCAD was observed on 7 November 2014.
iv.NCAD also commemorates the birth anniversary of the Nobel Prize Winner (for Physics in 1903) Marie Curie (Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie, born on 7 November 1867), a Polish-born French physicist.
Note:
- She is remembered for discovering radium and polonium, and her huge contribution to finding cancer treatments.
- She was also awarded The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911.
Key Facts:
i.As per the study carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR):
- 1 in every 9 persons in India is at risk of developing cancer in their lifetime.
- Cancer cases in the Northeast (NE) are projected to rise by 13.5% by 2025.
- The projected number of cancer cases for the year 2025 is estimated to be 57,131 (30,985 in males and 26,146 in females).
ii.According to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an estimated 28.4 million new cancer cases are projected to occur in 2040 globally.
- It is a 47% increase from the estimated 19.3 million cases in 2020.
