It’s World Cancer Day today, and with 10 million people a year worldwide dying from the illness, the aim is to raise awareness and improve care.
A Cancer Research report released ahead of World Cancer Day, shows that the number of UK cancer cases is expected to rise to more than half a million a year by 2040 – that’s up by a third.
Tragically, around 70% of all cancer deaths are in low and middle-income countries – who are least well placed to deliver the help that people need.
It’s estimated that 3.7 million lives could be saved worldwide every year with strategies such as early detection and timely treatment.
So what is World Cancer Day 2023, what’s the theme for this year, and how can you get involved?
What is World Cancer Day?
Created in 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer in Paris, it was the brainchild of six cancer experts.
They were determined to highlight the global challenges caused by cancer – reimagining ‘a world where everyone enjoys access to the cancer treatment, prevention and care that they need’.
Each year, on February 4, hundreds of activities and events take place worldwide, in schools, businesses, hospitals, and within communities.
It is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), an umbrella group made up of organisations, charities and ministries of health worldwide who are fighting the disease.
According to Cancer Research UK’s report, ‘with services barely treading water now, Governments across the UK must act.
‘Nearly a year after it was first announced, the Government has reneged on its promise to publish a long-term cancer plan for England.
‘Meanwhile, the Scottish Government is expected to publish its cancer strategy this spring. But in Northern Ireland, despite publishing their cancer strategy last year, the political instability there has meant implementing it has been impossible.
‘And the new Cancer Improvement Plan for Wales shows promise in addressing urgent challenges, however, it is only a short term, three-year plan.
‘More needs to be done.’
What is the theme of World Cancer Day 2023
Last year’s World Cancer Day theme continues in 2023 – ‘close the care gap‘.
It’s all about challenging the inequalities in cancer care around the world.
‘Half the world’s population lacks access to the full range of essential health services,’ says the UICC.
‘We live in a time of awe-inspiring advances that have seen the survival rates for many cancers skyrocket. In most countries around the world, however, many people are unable to effectively access adequate cancer care., even when the infrastructure and expertise exists.’
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.
How can you get involved in World Cancer Day?
The World Cancer Day website has plenty of ideas.
You could share a social media post, or join the 5k challenge by swimming, hiking, cycling, running or walking.
There are also guides on how you can speak out and help people with cancer, and create your own events – plus a map of what’s going on.
Plus, you can take the one-minute cancer quiz, and , of course, it has details of how you can donate.
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