Purpose: Celebrated each year on 4 February, World Cancer Day is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer. We can work together to reduce cancer risk factors. We can overcome barriers to early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care. We can work together to improve cancer control and achieve global targets to reduce premature mortality from cancer and NCDs.
FORUM: "Close the Care Gap." World Cancer Day 2024. The Day will focus on examining the socio-economic factors that lead to disparities in cancer prevention, incidence and survival, such as cultural and gender norms, income and education levels, and biases based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and lifestyle. Additionally, there will be a call for increased action to improve cancer awareness, prevent cancer, support advancements in diagnostics and treatment. There will also be opportunities for interviews with WHO and partners in different regions and WHO countries worldwide. World Cancer Day aims to promote awareness on cancer as a public health issue and to strengthen actions towards improving access to quality care, screening, early detection, treatment and palliative care. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #cancer, #4February, #WorldCancerDay, #CloseTheCareGap.
EVENTS: On February 4th, for the World Cancer Day 2024 various activities will take place globally, including the "5k Challenge" by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), encouraging individuals from all backgrounds to participate in activities such as running, cycling, swimming, hiking or walking to symbolize closing the gap in care. Additionally, there will be "21-day challenges" for individuals to create new healthy habits, raise awareness about cervical cancer, and educate themselves about inequalities in accessing cancer services.
CAMPAIGN: This year’s campaign “close the care gap” is about understanding the inequities in cancer care and taking actions to make the necessary progress to address them. It’s about having an open mind, challenging assumptions and looking at the hard facts:
Inequity in cancer care costs lives.
People who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn.
Income, education, location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care.
The gap affects everyone.
These barriers are not set in stone. They can be changed.
STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of Dr Tedros; WHO Director General on World Cancer Day 2024; February 2nd and the statement of the the WHO Africa Director-General Dr. Matshidiso Moeti on World Cancer Day 2024; February 4th.
PODCASTS: This is the year to question the status quo and help reduce stigma; to listen to the perspectives of the people living with cancer and their communities and let those lived experiences guide our thoughts and actions. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: The third year of the ‘Close the Care Gap’ campaign is all about understanding and recognizing the inequities in cancer care around the globe. Get the communication materials!
Why we celebrate it?
Income, education, geographical location and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care. The most disadvantaged groups are also more likely to have increased exposures to a host of other risk factors, like tobacco, unhealthy diet or environmental hazards
Campaign
The reality today is that who you are and where you live could mean the difference between life and death. The new 3-year World Cancer Day campaign « Close the Care Gap » seeks to inspire change and mobilise action. the campaign is hosted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Partners
The World Cancer Day is organized in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the UICC, International Cancer Control Partnership, the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society; the American Cancer Society, the Council Australia Western Australia, City Cancer Challenge Foundatio, the NCD Alliance.
