UICC World Cancer Day press release 2023: Commercial interests drive millions of avoidable cancer deaths
UICC calls on governments to prevent millions of cancer-related deaths due to tobacco use and the consumption of alcohol and ultra-processed foods, through increased taxation, restricted advertising, improved labelling and public education.
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World Cancer Day: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
What is the cancer care gap? English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
Alcohol and health: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
Tobacco and health: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
Ultra-processed foods and health: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
COVID-19 and cancer: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
Antimicrobial resistance and cancer: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский
Press release from World Cancer Day 2022
Tuesday 18 January 2022. Geneva, Switzerland.
UICC launches three-year campaign to create more equitable access to cancer services
On 4 February, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) will launch a new three-year campaign for World Cancer Day that brings together individuals, organisations and governments around the world in an effort to create awareness and help close the gap in cancer care.
The campaign highlights the significant barriers related to socioeconomic factors, stigma and discrimination that prevent many people around the world from accessing life-saving preventive services, diagnostics, treatment and care. These barriers lead to wide discrepancies in the risks of developing and surviving cancer.
“By 2030, it is estimated that 75% of all premature deaths due to cancer will occur in low- and middle-income countries. Importantly, this care gap is not only between high- and low-resource settings. Disparities exist within most countries among different populations due to discrimination or assumptions that encompass age, cultural contexts, gender norms, sexual orientation, ethnicity, income, education levels and lifestyle issues. These factors potentially reduce a person’s chance of surviving cancer – and they can and must be addressed.”
– Prof. Anil d’Cruz, President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Director of Oncology at Apollo Hospitals, India
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Press release from World Cancer Day 2021
Adaptations and innovations in cancer care through COVID-19 and beyond
On World Cancer Day, UICC shines a light on the heroic responses to the pandemic by cancer organisations and individuals around the world struggling to maintain progress in cancer care.
Tuesday 19 January 2021. Geneva, Switzerland.
Marking World Cancer Day on 4th February, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) gives voice and says thank you to the nurses, doctors, researchers, volunteers, advocates and other caregivers in oncology from around the world, as well as government agencies, who have worked these past 12 months through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Cancer Day theme “I Am and I Will” encapsulates their extraordinary spirit and the strength of the cancer community. Their stories captured throughout the past year are being showcased on the occasion of World Cancer Day in testimonies and articles on a dedicated page of the official website. These stories highlight that while the pandemic is threatening the progress being made in the fight against cancer, it has also created the opportunity to address systemic weaknesses in many national health systems.
A survey conducted by UICC with over 100 of its member organisations in 55 countries, including civil society, hospitals, research centres and patient support groups, revealed that their income and organisational activities are under significant pressure, with almost three-quarters reporting reductions in income of anywhere from 25% to 100% in 2020 and similar projections for 2021. An analysis of the survey results were published this month in The Lancet Oncology.
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Press release from World Cancer Day 2020
World Cancer Day 2020: International survey reveals unacceptable cancer awareness divide
Tuesday 4 February – Today’s World Cancer Day, led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), aims to mobilise urgent action from individuals, governments, and the global cancer community to close the clear and unacceptable gaps in cancer risk awareness between higher and lower socioeconomic groups and the subsequent impact on their health-promoting behaviours.
To mark the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day, UICC commissioned a global survey to form an up-to-date picture of the public’s experiences, views, and behaviours around cancer. Conducted by Ipsos, the survey includes more than 15,000 adults across 20 countries in the first multi-country public survey on cancer perceptions in a decade. The survey’s results, detailed in UICC’s report released today, International Public Opinion Survey on Cancer 2020: What people feel, think and believe about cancer today, indicate a clear divide between higher and lower socioeconomic groups when it comes to knowledge and awareness of cancer risks and, as a result, the practice of behaviours to limit such risk.
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Press releases from World Cancer Day 2019
World Cancer Day 2019: Global cancer experts call for urgent action to improve early cancer detection
Monday 4 February – World Cancer Day 2019 highlights the need for urgent action to increase early stage cancer detection, screening, and diagnosis to significantly improve cancer patients’ chances of survival. Taking place under the theme of ‘I Am and I Will’, today’s World Cancer Day led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), aims to inspire and encourage action from individuals, the health community, and governments to improve public awareness and access to early detection, screening, and diagnosis.
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Global Superstar Musicians Pledge Support On World Cancer Day | Press release
Monday 4 February 2019 – World Cancer Day: Leading musicians have come together for this World Cancer Day – a global awareness raising initiative by the Union for International Cancer Control - joining the global campaign to boost public health awareness and action against cancer. In a bold, emotional and inspiring video montage marking the day, artists including Grammy winner Alessia Cara and TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2018 honouree Shawn Mendes, as well as luminary will.i.am, Billboard’s Hot 100 chart topper Halsey, singer, songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter and Chinese-Canadian superstar Kris Wu share their support and commitment. Cancer survivors Taboo, rapper and member of Black Eyed Peas, and the visionary Nile Rodgers also participate alongside Puerto Rico’s record breaker Luis Fonsi, whose long-time friend and former publicist was diagnosed with breast cancer.
World Cancer Day’s 2019-2021 campaign theme is ‘I Am and I Will’, an empowering call for personal commitment and action taken now to reduce the growing burden of cancer. Kicking off the first year of the new campaign, artists from around the world took the opportunity to show their support by committing to inspire action in their own lives and the lives of those around them.
Read the full press release here (English)
UICC President, HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, makes official visit to Ghana on World Cancer Day | Press release
31 JANUARY, Kumasi, Ghana – On the occasion of World Cancer Day, a global initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, will make her first official visit to Africa as President of UICC from 2 – 6 February.
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Press release from World Cancer Day 2018
On World Cancer Day, cancer leaders call for equal access to reduce premature cancer deaths by 25%
Saturday 3 February 2018 – World Cancer Day: On Sunday 4 February, World Cancer Day raises awareness of the millions of people world-wide facing unequal access to cancer detection, treatment, and care services. With cancer leaders, health professionals and supporters across the world pushing for urgent action to reduce the rate of premature cancer deaths globally, the day calls for diagnostic and treatment access to be prioritised.
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Press release from World Cancer Day 2017
World Cancer Day: highlighting physical activity in the global fight against cancer
Worldwide cases of cancer predicted to reach 21.7 million by 2030
Saturday 4 February 2017 – World Cancer Day: Geneva, Switzerland - Today, on World Cancer Day, millions are urged to get active to help combat one of the world’s most deadly diseases. Under the banner ‘We can. I can.’ the day will encourage people to be more active - in every sense - in the fight against a disease that, in less than two decades, will directly affect up to 21.7 million1 people per year.
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Press release from World Cancer Day 2016
World Cancer Day 2016: millions to take action against the world’s most deadly disease
Thursday 4 February 2016 – World Cancer Day: Geneva, Switzerland – Cancer will kill more than eight million people worldwide this year, which is equivalent to the entire population of New York. Half of these will be people of working age (30-69 years old).
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