World Cancer Day 2021: Theme, History And Key Facts

Every February 4 is designated the World Cancer Day, a global initiative organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer through creating awareness and encouraging its prevention. 

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, according to a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO), about 17 people die every minute from cancer while over 10 million people die from the disease every year.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of a group of tissues involving abnormal cells in the body with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. 

The disease does not have a particular age or time it spreads across the body, it can occur at any age and if not detected at the right time for treatment, it can increase the risk of death.

There are numerous types of cancer but the most common cancers that affect people are lung, breast, cervical, neck, brain, and colorectal cancer.

However, this year's theme for World Cancer Day, 'I Am and I Will' acknowledges the enduring power of cooperation and collective action. "When we choose to come together, we can achieve what we all wish for: a healthier, brighter world without cancer".

The 2021 theme also encapsulates the extraordinary spirit and the strength of the people working in the cancer community. Their stories captured throughout the past year are being showcased on the occasion of World Cancer Day.

"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".

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According to the official press statement released by the organization, "the World Cancer Day 2021 is dedicated to the courage and achievements of people living with cancer and their families, as well as the nurses, doctors, researchers, volunteers, advocates and others who care for them and work on their behalf and calls for everyone in helping to save lives from this disease".

The statement read in part, "considerable challenges remain in the fight against cancer. The widespread impact of the pandemic will make it harder for countries to achieve certain sustainable development goals, in particular health targets and universal health coverage.

" It may also slow the implementation of WHO’s ambition but realistic global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer within a few generations. At the same time, the adoption of this strategy by the international community at the height of the pandemic proves the ability of governments and organisations to come together and breathe life into the promise that future generations of women will not die from a preventable disease.

History Of World Cancer Day 

World Cancer Day was birthed in year 2000 at the first World Summit Against Cancer held in Paris. At this Summit, several leaders of government agencies, and cancer organisations from around the world signed the Charter of Paris Against Cancer.

It was a document of 10 articles that outlined a cooperative global commitment to improving the quality of life of cancer patients and to the continued investment in and advancement of cancer research, prevention, and treatment.

Article X of the charter formally declared February 4 as World Cancer Day and the primary goal is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer.

Meanwhile, UICC established in 1993 is a membership-based organisation taking care of Cancer around the world and helping in medical research. The purpose of the UICC is to support the World Cancer Declaration.

The primary purpose of celebrating this day is to reduce the number of cancer patients and to reduce the death rate causing due to it and at the same time, make people aware of how to identify the symptoms of cancer, educate people, as well as to prepare government and non-governmental organisations to help in fighting this deadly disease all over the world.

Also, the aim of celebrating World Cancer Day is to reduce the misconceptions about cancer and to help people in getting the right information about it. There are several myths related to this disease. Many patients are stigmatised.

Some persons hold the wrong belief that they can be 'infected with cancer' but that belief is untrue.

This day is celebrated to remove these kinds of social myths. Therefore, people must know how and what type of treatment is given to cancer patients. Cancer patients have all the right to live like normal persons and they must feel self-respect and should get a normal environment in their home and society.

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How World Cancer Day Celebrated?

Government and non-governmental organisations organise various camps, lectures, and seminars at every level throughout the world for the prevention of cancer. Several policies, control measures are implemented and people join the campaign in masses.

The main target of the event is to spread a message to the common people about cancer. UICC provides a toolkit that consists of templates, leaflets, and direction of various organisations for better assistance.

World Cancer Day event is celebrated every year with a particular theme to make it more result-oriented and to reduce the death ratio per year. In our country, too many campaigns are being run to save people from cancer. 

World Cancer Day Themes Since 2015 Till Date

World Cancer Day celebrated its much anticipated global event with a different amazing theme every year. Here are the compilations of the World Cancer Day themes:

World Cancer Day 2015 theme - Not beyond us
World Cancer Day 2016- 2018 theme - We can, I can
World Cancer Day 2019-2021 Theme - I Am and I Will