About World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day takes place every year, on 4 February, and is the unifying global initiative under which the world comes together to raise the profile of cancer in a positive and inspiring way. Spearheaded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and improving education about the disease while calling for action from governments and individuals across the world. “Close the gap in cancer care” is the theme of the new three-year campaign for World Cancer Day, to promote greater equity in health care provision for all people no matter who they are or where they live. The campaign exposes significant socioeconomic factors that prevent many people from accessing life-saving early detection services, diagnostics, treatment and care. These factors lead to wide discrepancies in the risks of developing and surviving cancer. Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC says: “As individuals, as communities, we can and must come together and break down barriers. We have achieved a lot in the last decade in cancer care and control around the world, but not addressing inequities in society is slowing our progress. Closing the care gap is about fairness, dignity and fundamental rights to allow everyone to lead longer lives in better health.”