World Cancer Day (WCD) is annually observed across the globe on February 4 to raise awareness towards cancer and to encourage its identification, prevention, and treatment.
- The campaign theme of World Cancer Day 2022-2024 is “Close the care gap”.
- The Campaign theme of World Cancer Day 2023 is “Close the care Gap: Uniting our voices and taking action”.
The 2023 campaign invites like-minded individuals to join to strengthen alliances and new innovative collaborations in the fight against cancer.
Aim:
WCD aims to promote awareness of cancer as a public health issue and to strengthen actions towards improving access to quality care, screening, early detection, treatment and palliative care.
Background:
i. World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation.
- It was initiated on 4th February 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris, France.
ii. At the World Summit Against Cancer, a document titled the “Charter of Paris Against Cancer”, consisting of 10 articles, was signed.
- Under Article X, the charter officially proclaimed World Cancer Day and was decided to be observed on February 4.
Note: The document highlighted a global commitment to enhancing cancer patients’ access to care and quality of life.
UICC’s World Cancer Day Equity Report:
The World Cancer Day Equity Report provides local perspectives and experiences from the past and presents UICC Board Members on inequities in cancer care in their respective countries and regions.
Close the care gap- A 3-year campaign for impact:
WCD launched “Close The Care Gap”, a 3-year campaign aiming to promote awareness, collaboration and action for a more equitable future in cancer care.
2022– Realising the problem
2023– Uniting our voices and taking action
2024– Together, we challenge those in power
2023: Uniting our voices and taking action
i. The second year of the three-year campaign, 2023, aims to unite the fight against cancer and take collective action against it.
ii. Motivating neighbours to provide transport to cancer treatment for a fellow resident or ensuring that healthy and affordable food options are offered at the local school are some of the actions giving voices against Cancer.
About Cancer:
i. Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell development with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. It is a major cause of death on a global scale. Many cancers are curable if detected early and treated effectively.
- The most common cancer in India is Breast cancer in women.
ii. The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers. The most common cancers vary between countries. Cervical cancer is the most common in 23 countries.
iii. Cancer Rish Factors- Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.
iv. Causes- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, Cancer-causing infections, are responsible for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
- Cancer cases across the globe have been on the rise and lifestyle factors play a significant role in this increase.
About the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Cary Adams
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Establishment- 1933
