History of World Cancer Day: Significance of celebrating February 4 for cancer

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the oldest and largest international cancer organization, has initiated World Cancer Day. Its mission is to unite the cancer community in an effort to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the global health and development agenda through capacity building, advocacy, and convening. At the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris on February 4, 2000, the concept of World Cancer Day was conceived. The Paris Charter, which includes the establishment of World Cancer Day, seeks to advance cancer prevention, research, patient services, awareness, and global community mobilization.

Each year, World Cancer Day urges governments and individuals across the globe to take action, raises awareness, and provides education in an effort to prevent the loss of millions of lives. Blue and orange are the designated colours for World Cancer Day.

It is World Cancer Day every year on February 4. People all over the world join together to fight cancer. The goal of World Cancer Day is to save millions of lives every year by educating people, making them more aware, and pushing governments and people all over the world to act. Cancer Day was first held in 1933 in Geneva, Switzerland, by the World Health Organisation. World Cancer Day is meant to raise awareness about the dangers of cancer, its symptoms, and how to avoid getting affected by it.

The theme of World Cancer Day 2024

"Close The Care Gap" is the theme for World Cancer Day in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The goal of the multi-year campaign is to raise awareness of Cancer Day around the world through exposure, engagement, and opportunities.

This theme draws attention to the fact that cancer care is not the same everywhere. People from certain areas, socioeconomic groups, and disadvantaged groups often have a hard time getting good cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Some of these barriers are:

Lack of access to healthcare facilities: The majority of healthcare facilities are located in urban areas or are hard to get to in many parts of the world. This can make it hard for people to get checked for cancer or get treatment when they need it.

Problems with money: Even in developed countries, the cost of cancer treatment can be through the roof. This can keep people from getting the help they need, even if they know what they can do.

Stigma and discrimination: Cancer is often linked to fear and shame, which can keep people from getting help. In some cultures or communities, this stigma can be even stronger.

Lack of knowledge: People who don't know about the signs and risks of cancer may not get it checked out or treated early.

Closing the care gap is vital to make sure that everyone with cancer can get the care they need, no matter who they are or where they come from. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it's also a good idea for the health and well-being of our communities.

Why World Cancer Day is important- Impact of World Cancer Day on public health:

a. The global burden: Cancer kills about 10 million people every year, making it the leading cause of death in the world. This shocking number shows how important it is for people all over the world to work together to fight the disease.

b. Unfair burden: Cancer doesn't affect everyone the same way. It is very hard for people in low- and middle-income countries to get the cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services they need. Getting rid of these differences is necessary for everyone to have equal health outcomes.

c. Changing conditions: Cancer research is always making progress, revealing new details about how the disease works and resulting in the creation of new ways to treat it. World Cancer Day is a chance to talk about these improvements and encourage all cancer patients to be able to use them.

d. Taking action as a group: World Cancer Day brings people together to fight cancer around the world. In order to make progress, it brings together researchers, healthcare workers, policymakers, advocacy groups, and people who have been affected by the disease.

e. Hope and inspiration: Even though there are problems, World Cancer Day sends a message of hope and inspiration. It honours the strength of cancer survivors, recognises the hard work of healthcare workers, and stresses the importance of working together to make a difference.

World Cancer Day 2024's significance and global initiatives on February 4 for cancer awareness:

a. Awareness and Education: The day is a chance to teach people about cancer, the things that put them at risk, and how to avoid getting affected by it. More people knowing about it can help find it early, which is very important for treatment to work.

b. Cutting Down on Stigma: World Cancer Day helps cut down on the stigma that surrounds cancer. It helps make the world a better place for people with cancer and their families by encouraging open conversations and understanding.

c. Advocacy: On this day, people are encouraged to work for policies and actions that help prevent cancer, find it early, treat it, and provide support services. The goal is to get governments, healthcare workers, and regular people to work together to fight cancer.

d. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: World Cancer Day encourages people to make healthy choices and do things that can lower their risk of getting cancer, like eating well, working out regularly, not smoking or drinking too much alcohol, and being careful in the sun.

e. Giving Support to Cancer Patients and Survivors: It stresses how important it is to help cancer patients, survivors, and their families. This includes making sure that people with cancer can get good medical care, emotional support, and other resources that can improve their overall health.

f. Research and New Ideas: The day brings attention to the fact that the field of oncology still needs research and new ideas. It encourages people to put money into cancer research so that better treatments, early detection methods, and ways to avoid getting cancer can be found.

g. Collaboration: World Cancer Day encourages people, communities, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to work together. To effectively deal with the many problems that cancer causes, everyone must work together.

''Let's hold on to hope and strength; cancer may test the body, but the spirit can't be broken. We are strong when we work together. We can beat cancer and its problems if we work together.''