World Cancer Day 2024

World Cancer Day 2024

World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4 every year. It has been predicted that cancer cases in India would increase to a staggering 2 million by 2040.

Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, has become a major health concern in the past decades. The silent killer that often goes undetected in its early stages, spreads insidiously before manifesting into noticeable symptoms. Early detection is the key to surviving this deadly disease. In India too, the deadly disease is showing an upward trend. According to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), there were 19.3 million incident cancer cases worldwide for the year 2020. It has been predicted that cancer cases in India would increase to 2 million, a rise of 57.5 per cent in 2040 from 2020. As per National Cancer Registry Programme, one in nine people are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. Lung and breast cancers were the leading sites of cancer in males and females, respectively. Lymphoid leukaemia emerged as the most common childhood cancer.

World Cancer Day is an international awareness day led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) celebrated on February 4 every year. Cancer is caused by an uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells in the body that causes lump or tumour in most causes. If left untreated, tumours can grow and spread to other body parts and affect all body functions.

History

World Cancer Day was first celebrated on February 4, 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. The Paris Charter's mission is to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness and mobilise the global community to make progress against cancer, and includes the adoption of World Cancer Day.

Cancer Day theme

As per WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, between 2022 and 2024, the focus of World Cancer Day is to help “Close the cancer gap.”

"This year marks the third and final year of the campaign. The theme for this year is 'Together, we challenge those in power'. This theme encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritize and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world, says Dr Moeti in the message for World Cancer Day.

Signs and symptoms of cancer

Unusual lumps or swelling

Fatigue

Changes in bowel habit

Sudden weight loss

Unexpected bleeding

Pain or ache that comes and goes

New moles or changes in appearance of moles

Appetite loss

A sore or ulcer that won't heal

Heartburn or indigestion