Today, it is difficult to find a person who has not been directly or indirectly affected by cancer in some manner. World Cancer Day seeks to celebrate people who have battled the disease and those who have perished from it. This day aims to educate people about cancer and motivate them to take action so that, perhaps, many people in society won't be affected by it in the future.
Cancerous growths have the potential to start spreading and infecting other bodily areas if left untreated. Cancer is an exceedingly serious and pervasive health problem and there is no doubt about it. It is the second biggest cause of mortality globally, behind cardiovascular diseases, and has a disproportionately negative impact in underdeveloped socioeconomic areas and nations. However, events like World Cancer Day serve as a reminder that there are many reasons for hope thanks to advancements in research, prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Why is February 4th celebrated as Cancer Day and its History?
The first World Cancer Day was observed on February 4th, 2000, when the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium was convened in Paris. The Paris Charter, which also aims to enhance cancer research, prevention, patient care, awareness, and global mobilization, includes the establishment of World Cancer Day as a crucial element.
World Cancer Day Objectives:
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Increasing knowledge about cancer and removing the stigma and fear associated with it.
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Help people identify the early warning signs and symptoms of cancer so they can seek treatment more quickly.
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Educating people about the main risk factors, since avoiding the risk factors or altering one's lifestyle might prevent more than 30% of cancer cases.
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To educate individuals on the value of routine examinations and screenings.
Theme for World Cancer Day 2023
The World Cancer Day topic for 2023 is "Close the Care Gap," which builds on the theme for 2022 and will run through 2024 (a 3-year campaign with specific goals for each year). In a multi-year effort, it was anticipated that there would be greater visibility, involvement, and opportunity to make a difference.
How is World Cancer Day Celebrated?
To prevent cancer, government and non-governmental organizations worldwide host a variety of camps, talks, and seminars. People join the campaign in large numbers, and several policies and control mechanisms are put in place. The primary goal of the event is to raise awareness about cancer among the general public. For improved help, UICC offers a toolbox that includes templates, pamphlets, and guidelines from numerous organizations. Every year, World Cancer Day is observed with a specific topic to increase its focus on outcomes and lower the annual mortality rate. There are just too many efforts being launched in our nation to prevent cancer.
