World Cancer Day 2024: This day is dedicated to raising awareness about cancer, promoting prevention measures, and emphasising the significance of early detection.
The current theme, “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access To Cancer Care,” underscores the need for global collaboration to ensure that individuals worldwide have equitable access to quality cancer care. In this article, we delve into the history, theme, and key facts about World Cancer Day, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of cancer on a global scale.
World Cancer Day 2024: ThemeThe theme for the 2022-2024 period is “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access To Cancer Care,” highlighting the need for global collaboration in the fight against cancer.
The sub-theme, “Together, we challenge those in power,” emphasises accountability from leaders to allocate essential resources for eradicating cancer.
World Cancer Day 2024: History
The history of World Cancer Day dates back to the World Summit Against Cancer in Paris in 1999, where the concept was proposed. The Charter of Paris Against Cancer was signed on February 4, 2000, during the follow-up World Summit, officially marking the first observance of World Cancer Day. The charter aimed to underscore the importance of global cooperation in the battle against cancer, addressing issues related to care and research.
World Cancer Day 2024: Significance
World Cancer Day holds significance in increasing awareness about early detection to reduce cancer-related fatalities. The campaign urges individuals, organisations, and influential figures to unite, ensuring that patients and their families have access to proper care and support.
World Cancer Day 2024: Facts
Key facts about cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), include:
In 2020, cancer became the leading cause of global deaths, with approximately 10 million fatalities.
The most common cancers include breast, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate cancers.
About one-third of fatal cancers are attributed to factors such as tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.
In low- and lower-middle-income countries, human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis contribute to cancer-causing infections, accounting for around 30% of total cancer cases.
Early detection and effective treatment can lead to the cure of many cancers.
World Cancer Day serves as a reminder of the global effort needed to combat cancer and the importance of early detection and care in saving lives.