On 4 February World Cancer Day (WCD) is observed to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
This health awareness day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control, a global consortium of more than 470 cancer-fighting organisations in more than 120 countries.
The day is the singular initiative under which the world can unite iin the fight against the global cancer epidemic.
It takes place annually on 4 February and targets the public through global communications, and encourages policy makers and UICC member organisations to make cancer a political priority.
The aims of WCD are to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments across the world to take action against the disease.
The day is a key opportunity for everyone affected by cancer to work together to ensure that world leaders stick to the promises they made at the UN Summit in relation to reducing the impact of cancer.
Cancer is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumours, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Not all tumours are cancerous.
Significantly, the number of cancer cases and related deaths worldwide is estimated to double over the next 20 to 40 years.
With the greatest increase in low and middle-income countries, those least equipped to cope with both the social and economic impact of the disease.
