Did you know that your income, education, geographical location, ethnicity and age can all affect the level of cancer care you receive?
February 4 is World Cancer Day, a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). This year’s theme, ‘Close the Care Gap’, aims to highlight the equity gap that affects so many individuals and communities and costs the lives of those impacted by cancer.
A 3-year campaign for impact
The campaign will run from 2022 to 2024 and is built to inspire change and mobilise action long after the day itself. A multi-year campaign also means more exposure and engagement, more opportunities to build global awareness and ultimately more impact.
2022: Realising the problem
The first year of the ‘Close the Care Gap’ campaign is all about understanding and recognising the inequities in cancer care around the globe. 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, including you and your loved ones.
- These barriers are not set in stone. They can be changed.
What can you do for World Cancer Day?
There are hundreds of activities and events taking place across the world which you can engage in, both virtually and in-person, to support World Cancer Day. Here are some of the ways you can help:
- Post on social media, sharing your commitment
- Light up a significant building or monument on World Cancer Day in the official colours – orange and blue
- Find a World Cancer Day event near you, or host your own
- Donate to a cancer charity
World Cancer Day is celebrated across the globe because we know that only together, can we improve education and inspire action. Ultimately, working towards a world where millions of cancer deaths are prevented, and life-saving research is equitable for all.
About World Cancer Day
Established in 2000, World Cancer Day is held every 4th February and is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, supporters of World Cancer Day are working together to reimagine a world where millions of cancer deaths are prevented and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care isequal for all.
Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organisations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks, community halls, places of worship, and in the streets and online to raise awareness and inspire action.
