The campaign

The new World Cancer Day theme 2025-2027 “United by Unique” places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation.

Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis — it’s a deeply personal matter. 

Behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story - stories of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more. That’s why a people-centred approach to cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy, leads to the best health outcomes.  

The campaign will explore different dimensions of people-centred cancer care and new ways of making a difference. It will offer a three- year journey from raising awareness to taking action.  

Every experience with cancer is unique and it will take all of us, united, to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient.

This World Cancer Day, let's come together to rewrite the future of cancer care - one where the needs of people and communities come first.

#UnitedByUnique

The problem 

Cancer is a long-term condition, affecting not just physical health but also mental, social, and economic well-being. Its impact affects individuals, families and communities. Yet traditional cancer care often focuses only on biology and symptoms, overlooking key social and environmental factors — like income, support systems, and living conditions — which play a crucial role in how people experience and recover from cancer. There’s a growing need for more holistic, compassionate care. 

Learn more

People-centred care as an alternative model

People-centred care is an approach that focuses on the needs, values, and active participation of individuals, families, and communities in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how health and cancer services are designed and delivered, placing those impacted by cancer at the heart of health systems.

Learn more

How do we achieve people-centred care? 

People-centred cancer care requires a profound and multifaceted transformation. Here are a few actionable changes can make a real difference.  

PRINCIPLE 1: 

ENGAGE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

To build a compassionate and responsive cancer care system, people living with cancer must be actively engaged and involved in shaping services, care practices, and health policies. Their lived experience, along with insights from caregivers and advocacy groups, can help identify challenges and drive improvements. A system cannot respond to the needs of people living with cancer if it is not created in collaboration with them.   

PRINCIPLE 2: 

REORIENTING THE MODEL OF CARE

Care must be continuous, coordinated, and compassionate - extending through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life, addressing long-term impacts, dignity, health literacy and support for patients and families.

PRINCIPLE 3: 

EQUITY, INCLUSION AND TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNANCE

Decision-making must be equitable and inclusive, addressing barriers like geography, language, income, disability, and stigma. Cancer strategies should involve patients to ensure services are accessible and culturally sensitive. 

PRINCIPLE 4: 

CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR CANCER CARE REFORM

Creating the conditions for change requires action across the entire health and cancer care system. This includes strong leadership, appropriate and supportive policies and regulations, systems that reward quality and collaboration, and a workforce ready to deliver new models of care. 

Learn more how we can achieve people-centred care

How can you take action?  

From raising awareness to offering support, your actions — big or small — can help move us closer to a world without cancer. 

Take action

Lottie file

World Cancer Day 2025 Impact Report

The World Cancer Day 2025 Impact Report offers a detailed look at how individuals, communities, and institutions came together on 4 February to call for more inclusive and responsive cancer care. Centred on the theme United by Unique, the campaign promoted the value of people’s lived experiences in shaping health systems that truly meet their needs.
 
 

View the interactive report here

Explore more

An urgent call for people-centred cancer care.

Treat the person, not just the disease.

We call on the governments, organisations, and institutions with the power to make people-centred cancer care a reality, to take urgent action. 

Definitions of terms used in the context of World Cancer Day.

Share your personal cancer story to help inspire and support others.

Get involved any way you can. Because together, we can create change.