World Cancer Day is a global observance day held on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detect and treatment. Targets of World Cancer Day to misinformation, raise awareness and reduces stigma.
On 4 February, World Cancer Day was established at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millenium in Paris.
How is World Cancer Day celebrated?
On this day around the world non-profit organizations, communities, businesses and governments hold festivals, walks, seminars, public information campaigns together to help the general public learn more about the different types of cancer, how to watch for it, treatments, and preventative measures.
World Cancer Day theme
The campaign theme for year 2019-2021 is “I Am and I Will”.
- 2019 – 2021, (Theme): ‘I Am and I Will.
- 2016 – 2018, (Theme): We can. I can.’
- 2015, (Theme): Not Beyond Us
- 2014, (Theme): Debunk the Myths[13]
- 2013, (Theme): Cancer Myths – Get the Facts
- 2012, (Theme): Together let’s do something
- 2010-2011, (Theme): Cancer can be prevented
Most common cancers in India and their detection
Breast Cancer: A painless lump in the breast, a sudden change in shape and size of the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, nipple retraction are some of the important signs.
Cervical cancer: Cervical Cancer occurs when the abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control.
Oral Cancer: Oral Cancer is a major problem in India. The main risk of developing oral cancer is tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Facts about Cancer:
- The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70 per cent over the next 2 decades.
- Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases in 2012.
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015.
- Approximately 70 per cent of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Cancer-causing infections, such as hepatitis and human papilloma virus (HPV), are responsible for up to 25 per cent of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries.
- Use of Tobacco is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22 per cent of cancer deaths.
The aims of world cancer day is to saving millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action.