World Cancer Day 2024- February 4

World Cancer Day (WCD) is annually observed across the globe on 4 February to raise awareness of fundamental cancer issues and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

WCD is an international campaign that aims to remember and honour those affected by cancer, and to take action to change the future of cancer.

• The campaign theme of WCD 2022-2024 is, ‘Close the Care Gap’. 2024 marks the 3rd and final year of the campaign.
• The campaign theme of WCD 2024 is, “Close the Care Gap: Together, we challenge those in power.”

Points to Note:

i.WCD is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation.

ii.It is the only global cancer organisation representing all cancer types, across the cancer care continuum (prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care).

Cancer Ribbon:

A lavender ribbon is usually a sign of support for those living with all types of cancer.

• The official colours of World Cancer Day are blue and orange.

Background:

i.On 4 February 2000, WCD was established by the Charter of Paris Against Cancer.

ii.The Charter comprising 10 articles was adopted at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris, France.

iii.Under Article X, the Charter officially proclaimed World Cancer Day and was decided to observe on 4 February of each year.

• The Charter aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness, and mobilise the global community to make progress against cancer and includes the adoption of WCD.

iv.The 1st WCD was observed on February 4, 2000.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a term for a large group of diseases that can affect any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, forming a lump called a tumour.

Close the Care Gap: A 3-year campaign:

i.The campaign is all about understanding and recognising the inequities in cancer care around the globe.

• 2022- Realising the problem:
• 2023- Uniting our voices and taking action:
• 2024- Together, we challenge those in power:

ii.The 2024 theme aims to elevate awareness and demand global leaders to prioritise and invest resources in cancer prevention, promoting research, and supporting initiatives aimed at achieving a cancer-free world.

World Cancer Day Equity Report:

i.It is a collection of testimonials by past and present UICC Board Members to illustrate the global cancer care gap.

ii.It provides local perspectives and experiences on inequities in cancer care in regions around the world, as well as expert recommendations on how to address them.

• It suggests further measures to close the care gap by 2030.

Note: The 1st edition of the report was published in 2023 and its 2nd edition was published in 2024.

Key Facts:

According to the World Health Orgnaisation (WHO):

i.Over 35 million new cancer cases are predicted in 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022.

ii.High Human Development Index (HDI) countries anticipate the greatest absolute increase, projecting 4.8 million new cases by 2050.

iii.Low and medium HDI countries face disproportionate proportional increases (142% and 99%, respectively).

iv.Cancer mortality in these countries is set to nearly double by 2050, revealing significant challenges in managing the burden.

Note: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer agency of the WHO.

About Union for International Cancer Control (UICC):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Dr Cary Adams
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Founded in– 1933
UICC has over 1,150 member organisations in 172 countries and territories.