World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February and is the single initiative under which the world can unite to raise the profile of cancer in a positive and inspiring way.
Coordinated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), World Cancer Day is this year taking place under the tagline ‘We can. I can.’ and explores how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, everyone has the power to take action to reduce the impact that cancer has. World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, make a pledge and take action.
Cancer will kill more than eight million people worldwide this year, which is equivalent to the entire population of London and some. Half of these will be people of working age (30-69 years old).
UICC is asking governments to urgently reaffirm their commitment to the following cost-effective cancer ‘essentials’ package that save lives:
- Implementation of vaccination programmes which prevent infections that cause cervical and liver cancer
- Scale up of access to early detection and screening programmes for cervical, breast and bowel cancers and follow-on treatment[2]
- Improved tobacco taxation, regulation and control
- As well, as pain relief and palliative care services for all cancer patients.
“Preventing millions of unnecessary deaths and suffering from cancer is not outside of the world’s scientific or financial capabilities,” said Dr Cary Adams, Chief Executive Officer, UICC.
Join us on World Cancer Day 2016 to take action on cancer by making health and well-being commitments, participating in the official ‘Talking Hands’ social media activity and getting involved in hundreds of other awareness raising initiatives that are happening worldwide.
Go to Cancer Research for more information
