February 4^th is World Cancer Day: the global event to unite the world in the fight against cancer, aiming to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to act in a positive and inspiring way.

Why is World Cancer Day important?

• Currently, 8.8 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, 4 million of whom die prematurely (30-69 years of age).
• Left unchecked, the number of deaths will increase to 21.7 million per year by 2030.
• World Cancer Day is the perfect opportunity to spread the word and raise the profile of cancer, both in people’s minds and the world’s media.
• Provide education – more than one third of cancers can be prevented by adopting healthy behaviors.

World Cancer Day 2016-2018 is taking place under the tagline “We can. I can”, which explores how everyone as a unit or as individuals can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.

Governments, communities, schools, employers and media can all challenge perceptions of cancer and dissipate damaging myths and misunderstandings so that everyone is empowered to access precise cancer information along with quality cancer prevention and care.

“Now, more than ever there is a need for a global commitment to drive policy and implementation of what we already know to push the global fight against cancer to a whole new level. Action taken by every person, organization, and government can and will reduce the burden of cancer. World cancer day is the opportunity to reinforce the message that ‘we can’, as a collective, or ‘I can’, as an individual, take action to help prevent and fight this disease”  

– Sanchia Aranda, UICC President and CEO, Cancer Council Australia.

Download your free World Cancer Day 2018 Campaign Toolkit from UICC.

In addition to raising awareness, individuals can take simple measures in their daily lives to reduce their risk of developing cancer and encourage others to do the same. These healthy choices recommended by the CHDI may prevent 2 out of 3 types of cancers:

1. Eat 2 to 2 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables every day, eat foods low in fat.
2. Keep physically active.
3. Maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Choose not to have the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
5. Decrease alcohol intake or do not drink alcohol.
6. Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun by using sunscreen or wearing protective clothing.
7. Protect against HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).
8. Have recommended cancer screening exams.

Show your support on social media by using the hashtags #WeCanICan and #WorldCancerDay.

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