View source for Medicine:World Cancer Day

{{Short description|International day to raise awareness of cancer}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = World Cancer Day 
|type          = 
|image         = Walk against Cancer in Abuja.jpg
|imagesize     =
|caption       = World Cancer Day 2017 Initiative by [[Organization:Project Pink Blue|Project Pink Blue]]
|nickname      = WCD
|observedby    = 
|litcolor      =
|longtype      =
|significance  = 
|begins        = 4 February
|ends          = 5 February
|date          = 4 February
|scheduling    = same day each year
|duration      = 1 day
|frequency     = Annual
|celebrations  = 
|observances   = Awareness of [[Medicine:Cancer|cancer]] and its prevention
|relatedto     = Cancer Disease
}}
'''World Cancer Day''' is an international day marked on :4 February to raise awareness of [[Medicine:Cancer|cancer]] and to encourage its [[Medicine:Cancer prevention|prevention]], detection, and [[Medicine:Treatment of cancer|treatment]]. World Cancer Day is led by the [[Organization:Union for International Cancer Control|Union for International Cancer Control]] (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008. The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and [[Biology:Epidemiology of cancer#Incidence and mortality|death caused by cancer]]<ref name="World Cancer Day 2013 Summary">{{cite web|title=World Cancer Day 2013 One-Pager (English)|url=http://www.worldcancerday.org/background-information|publisher=UICC|access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/cancer/world-cancer-day/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206125049/http://www.who.int/cancer/world-cancer-day/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 February 2017|title=World Cancer Day|website=World Health Organization|language=en-GB|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref> The day is observed by the {{wipe|United Nations}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-days/|title=International Days|date=6 January 2015|newspaper=United Nations|last1=Nations |first1=United }}</ref>

World Cancer Day targets misinformation,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2013-02-04-World-Cancer-Day-aims-to-dispel-stereotypes_ST_U.htm|title=World Cancer Day targets myths, spreads message|last=Szabo|first=Liz|work=[[Software:USA Today|USA Today]]|date=3 February 2013|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> raises awareness, and reduces [[Social:Social stigma|stigma]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/world-cancer-day-why-is-the-disease-still-a-taboo-a6853126.html|title=World Cancer Day: Why is the disease still a taboo?|last=Gander|first=Kashmira|work=The Independent|date=4 February 2016|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> Multiple initiatives are run on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer. One of these movements are [[Social:Hashtag activism|#NoHairSelfie]], a global movement to have "hairticipants" shave their heads either physically or virtually to show a symbol of courage for those undergoing cancer treatment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/three-international-productions-including-scotlands-the-james-plays-to-headline-luminato-2016/article28412339/|title=Three international productions, including Scotland's The James Plays, to headline Luminato 2016|last=Wheeler|first=Brad|work=The Globe and Mail|date=27 January 2016|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> Images of participants are then shared all over [[Social:Social media|social media]].  Hundreds of events around the world also take place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldcancerday.org/map|title=WCD {{!}} We Can. I Can.|website=www.worldcancerday.org|language=en|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref>

==History==
World Cancer Day was established on 4 February 2000 at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, which was held in [[Place:Paris|Paris]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 February 2021|title=World Cancer day 2021: Cancer can be Cured by True Worship|url=https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/world-cancer-day-cure-cancer/|access-date=4 February 2021|website=S A NEWS|language=en-US}}</ref>

The Charter of Paris Against Cancer,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000119111|title=World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium: Charter of Paris, 4 February 2000|publisher=UNESCO Digital Library}}</ref> which was created to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, also included an article establishing the anniversary of the document's official signing as World Cancer Day, was signed at the Summit by the then General Director of [[Organization:UNESCO|UNESCO]], Kōichirō Matsuura, and then French President Jacques Chirac in Paris on 4 February 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://connection.asco.org/magazine/features/world-cancer-day-why-fourth-february|title=World Cancer Day: Why the Fourth of February?|date=19 March 2012|website=ASCO Connection}}</ref>

== World Cancer Day themes ==
[[File:World Cancer Day 2011 (5424857865).jpg|thumb|World Cancer Day 2011 in [[Place:Vienna|Vienna]]]]
The theme for the years 2022-2024 is 'Close the care gap' that focuses on eliminating the difference in access to cancer care services faced by populations of various groups of country income, age, gender, ethnicity etc.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Cancer Day Theme 2022-24 |url=https://www.worldcancerday.org/about/2022-2024-world-cancer-day-campaign |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

The 2019-2021 campaign theme was 'I Am and I Will'. The theme seeks to counter the negative attitude and fatalistic belief that nothing can be done about cancer, and instead promotes how our personal actions can be powerful and impactful.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldcancerday.org/about/2019-2021-world-cancer-day-campaign|title=Campaign theme (I am and I will) &#124; World Cancer Day|website=www.worldcancerday.org}}</ref>

In 2016, World Cancer Day started a three-year campaign under the tagline of 'We can. I can.', which explored the power of collective and individual actions to reduce the impact of cancer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldcancerday.org/about/2016-2018-world-cancer-day-campaign|title=World Cancer Day 2016-2018 {{!}} WCD|website=www.worldcancerday.org|language=en|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref> Prior to 2016, the campaign themes included "Not Beyond Us" (2015) and "Debunk the Myths" (2014).

{| class="wikitable"
!Year 
!Theme
|-
|2022 -2024
|'Close the care gap'<ref>[https://www.worldcancerday.org/about/2022-2024-world-cancer-day-campaign World Cancer Day Theme 2022-2024]</ref>
|-
|2019 - 2021
|'I Am and I Will.'<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|2016 - 2018
|'We can. I can.'<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 February 2018|title=World Cancer Day 2018: Theme, goals and significance|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/world-cancer-day-2018-theme-goals-and-significance-5050874/|access-date=4 February 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|Not Beyond Us<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uicc.org/world-cancer-day-2015-not-beyond-us-campaign-launched|title=World Cancer Day 2015: 'Not Beyond Us' Campaign launched! {{!}} UICC|website=www.uicc.org|language=en|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2014 
|Debunk the Myths<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uicc.org/world-cancer-day-2014-debunk-myths|title=World Cancer Day 2014: Debunk the myths! {{!}} UICC|website=www.uicc.org|language=en|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2013
|Cancer Myths - Get the Facts <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cansa.org.za/cancer-myths-get-the-facts-on-world-cancer-day-4-feb-2013/|title=» Cancer Myths – Get the Facts on World Cancer Day – 4 Feb 2013 {{!}} CANSA – The Cancer Association of South Africa|website=www.cansa.org.za|date=22 January 2013|language=en|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref> 
|-
|2012
|Together let's do something<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/9464|title=World Cancer Day: "Stand Up To Cancer!" and End Mesothelioma and other Asbestos-Caused Cancers - ADAO - Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization|website=www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org|date=4 February 2012|language=en-US|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2010 - 2011
|Cancer can be prevented<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/world-cancer-day-2010.html |title=World Cancer Day 2010 |date=3 February 2010 |website=Healthcare-in-Europe.com}}</ref> 
|-
|2009 - 2010
|'I love my healthy active childhood'<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Cancer Day 2009|date=4 February 2020|url=https://ncdalliance.org/news-events/blog/20-years-of-world-cancer-day}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Results==
[[File:Westminster Palace lit up for 2019 WCD.jpg|thumb|Palace of Westminster illuminated in orange and blue for World Cancer Day 2019]]
World Cancer Day is marked by the international cancer community, governments and individuals around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Cancer Day {{!}} Description, Facts, & History|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/World-Cancer-Day|access-date=4 February 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> Each year, more than 900 activities take place in over 100 countries, with the day itself a trending topic on [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldcancerday.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/WCD19_ImpactReport_FA_English_Web.pdf|title=StackPath}}</ref>

In recent years, cities have begun to support the day by lighting up important landmarks in orange and blue. In 2019, 55 landmarks in 37 cities participated in the landmark lighting initiative.<ref name="auto1"/> At least 60 governments officially observe World Cancer Day.

== See also ==

* Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October in the United States)
* National Prostate Health Month (September in the United States)
* World Lymphoma Awareness Day (15 September)
* World Health Observances

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official|http://www.worldcancerday.org }}
*[http://www.uicc.org Union for International Cancer Control website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180207085244/http://www.who.int/cancer/world-cancer-day/2018/en/ World Health Organization]

[[Category:Cancer]]

{{Sourceattribution|World Cancer Day}}