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World Cancer Day: closing the care gap

Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death, and its burden is growing. In 2021, the world crossed a sobering new threshold – an estimated 20 million people were diagnosed with cancer, and 10 million died. These numbers will continue to rise in the decades ahead. And yet all cancers can be treated, and many can be prevented or cured.

Care for cancer, however, like so many other diseases, reflects the inequalities and inequities of our world. The clearest distinction is between high- and low-income countries, with comprehensive treatment reportedly available in more than 90% of high-income countries but less than 15% of low-income countries.

Similarly, the survival of children diagnosed with cancer is more than 80% in high-income countries, and less than 30% in low- and middle-income countries. And breast cancer survival five years after diagnosis now exceeds 80% in most high-income countries, compared with 66% in India and just 40% in South Africa.

Furthermore, a recent WHO survey found that cancer services are covered by a country’s largest, government health financing scheme in an estimated 37% of low- and middle-income countries, compared to at least 78% of high-income countries. This means that a cancer diagnosis has the potential to push families into poverty, particularly in lower-income countries, an effect that has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Closing the care gap  

For all of these reasons, the theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is “closing the care gap”.

And fortunately, much is being done to bring quality cancer care to countries for which, up until now, it has been out of reach.

WHO’s efforts are focused on breast cancer, now the most common cancer; cervical cancer, that can be eliminated; and childhood cancer. The focus for each of these initiatives is low- and middle-income countries, where the biggest public health gains are to be made.

These integrated global cancer initiatives are being implemented by more than 200  partners around the world, including many development banks who have significantly increased their investments in cancer research, prevention and care.

National cancer centres: key to a comprehensive approach

Experience has shown the importance of national cancer centres in ensuring a  comprehensive approach to cancer treatment. Bringing services for prevention, diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment and supportive care together in one place makes it easier for patients to navigate services and leads to a greater concentration of expertise, and subsequently better health outcomes. Furthermore, cancer centres serve as training and research hubs, and in this way, help build country capacity and expertise.

Setting Up a Cancer Centre: a WHO-IAEA Framework , being released by the World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency for World Cancer Day, proposes a framework for both establishing a cancer centre and strengthening the provision of services in existing centres. Intended for policy-makers, programme managers and health professionals, it provides details of the  infrastructure, human resources and equipment required for essential services, taking into consideration local context and resources available.

Facilitating decisions on screening

Screening is another important element of comprehensive cancer prevention and control but decisions on what to include in a cancer programme require consideration of a number of complex factors. To support decision-making on such issues in countries, WHO has just released A short guide to cancer screening. Increase effectiveness, maximize benefits and minimize harm.

Reinvigorated efforts to increase access to radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is among the most cost-effective, efficient and widely-used cancer treatments, and may be considered as a treatment option for an estimated half of cancer patients. Despite being a critical component of cancer care, however, worldwide access to radiotherapy is still inadequate, particularly in lower-income countries.

To reinvigorate efforts to address this problem, WHO is joining forces with the IAEA, as it launches Rays of Hope. This new project will prioritize a limited number of high-impact, cost-effective and sustainable interventions in line with national needs and commitment, starting in Africa.

Scale-up critical given the impact of the pandemic

Increased efforts to scale up high quality cancer programmes at international, national and community levels are all the more important given disruption to cancer programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a survey published in October 2021, more than half of countries reporting indicated that cancer screening and treatment had been partially or completely disrupted during the pandemic.

By collaboration, commitment and solidarity, however, hope can be provided to the many millions of people for whom cancer treatment has in the past been little more than a dream.

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World Cancer Day: Making a commitment to close the cancer care gap

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By Mayo Clinic staff

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) recognizes World Cancer Day annually on February 4. The UICC's 2024 theme for World Cancer Day is "Close the Care Gap." The care gap is the gap between people who can obtain healthcare related to the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and those who cannot.

The factors that create this gap include income, education and geographical location barriers. Discrimination based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle can also be a barrier. Some people are also more likely to be exposed to factors that increase cancer risk, such as environmental hazards, unhealthy diet and tobacco.

Mayo Clinic joins the UICC in breaking down barriers that stand in the way of cancer care. In this Q&A, Rick Bold, M.D. , site deputy director for Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona, discusses Mayo Clinic's commitment to closing the cancer care gap:

What does World Cancer Day mean to Mayo Clinic?

It means understanding the gaps in our cancer care and our cancer outcomes. It means recognizing those gaps by intentionally trying to close and eliminate them. There are different ways to define the gap; it may be related to the incidence of cancer, it may be related to the outcomes of cancer, and it may be related to access to cancer care. Each of these is a different gap that affects how people cope with cancer, how people survive cancer, and how people are diagnosed with cancer. We should strive to close and eliminate each of these gaps.

What is Mayo Clinic doing to help close the cancer care gap?

Cancer is not just one disease. For example, breast cancer is different for each person. Understanding why breast cancer developed at an individualized level — personalized or precision medicine — helps us determine the proper treatment for that patient and leads to better outcomes. Maybe a woman's genes caused cancer to develop. Perhaps it's where she lived — her environmental history or what she ate. We're doing studies reaching out to women across different communities, ethnic backgrounds and age groups to understand how breast cancer risk is determined. If every person is different, we need to understand that their cancer is different based on who they are. That's one effort that's helping to close the cancer care gap.

Another effort to close the gap is improving access to screening. Cancer screening is one of the most effective tools to reduce the burden of cancer in our communities. However, only some people have access to screening. Mayo Clinic is asking: How can we help everyone get access? How can we make screening easier? For example, can we detect colon cancer with a blood test instead of a colonoscopy ? Can we detect it with a stool sample collected in a person's home without time away from work or family or disrupting intestinal function by drinking a solution to cleanse the colon for a colonoscopy? Mayo Clinic is researching cancer screening tools that can be made available to more people conveniently at a lower cost. These efforts can help us close the gap by detecting more cancers at their earliest stage, which is when cures happen.

Mayo Clinic is also using technology to close the gap. One example of this is proton beam therapy for radiation. Mayo Clinic has two proton therapy units, one in Scottsdale, Arizona, and one in Rochester, Minnesota. We've studied how to deliver proton beam therapy in a way that improves patient outcomes. Some people can't take the time to get radiation, which may last weeks or months. Using proton beam therapy, we can shorten treatment time, broadening access by making it more convenient for people to get treatment in a minimally disruptive way.

What is Mayo Clinic doing to reach out to underserved and rural communities facing cancer care barriers?

Mayo Clinic is developing cancer screening techniques that can be implemented internationally while recognizing that even in the U.S., not everybody has a hospital or a cancer center nearby. Many people are geographically isolated from healthcare or may lack insurance that pays for screening. We're trying to identify methods that could detect a variety of cancers early in a patient-friendly fashion, no matter what environment a person is living in and no matter what resources they have.

All Mayo Clinic locations see themselves as serving the community around them. We are developing strategic partnerships and relationships to elevate access to care in those communities and share our clinical expertise. This moves our care beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics. Moving cancer care into patients' homes is becoming a national concept. We're starting to delve into that model of care. This will expand our ability to serve a broader population, not just in our local communities but nationally or internationally.

What is Mayo Clinic's goal for the future of cancer care?

The ideal goal would be to eliminate cancer or turn cancer into a disease nobody needs to worry about. That's a long-term goal, and maybe we will get there.

In the shorter term, the goal is to achieve equitable cancer care that provides the best outcomes in a way that doesn't significantly disrupt the lives of patients and their families while respecting their individuality and their role in decision-making. We want to put all those things together and then always keep working on improving outcomes.

Mayo Clinic is committed to eliminating care gaps so every patient, regardless of where they live or who they are, receives the same cancer care and experiences the same positive outcomes. Mayo Clinic is here to serve patients. That's our primary mission.

Watch this "Mayo Clinic Minute" video to hear Dr. Bold discuss the cancer care gap:

Read these articles to learn more about Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center's work to close the cancer care gap:

• " Mayo Clinic cancer researchers targeting racial disparities in genomic data "
• " Mayo Clinic study reveals proton beam therapy may shorten breast cancer treatment "
• " Less is more: The new approach to treating HPV-related throat cancer "
• " Patients with multiple tumors in one breast may not need mastectomy, research finds "

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World Cancer Day: Let’s Talk Openly About Cancer

Sterling Hill Health Communication Specialist Contractor Division of Cancer Prevention and Control

February 4 is World Cancer Day, when the world unites to raise awareness, improve education, and inspire action to reduce cancer. The observance is organized by the Union for International Cancer Control, which reminds us that “Talking openly about cancer and our experiences makes a huge difference in increasing understanding, overcoming stigma, and reducing fear.”

CDC’s Andrea Middlebrooks shares her story of overcoming breast cancer with help from her friends and family. Andrea is deputy chief of the Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch in CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

In January of 2012, Andrea noticed that the nipple on her right breast was starting to become inverted. She had a routine mammogram the next month. Afterward, her doctor called her back for another mammogram because she noticed something unusual on the first mammogram.

Although the doctor didn’t find cancer on the second mammogram, Andrea was worried. So, a month later, she made an appointment to see a breast specialist. The specialist did another test and told Andrea that cysts (fluid-filled sacs) were causing her symptoms. She drained fluid from several cysts and asked Andrea to come back for a checkup in 2 months.

When Andrea returned in June, her nipple looked the same. The doctor examined her breasts and said the tissue seemed thicker than normal. The doctor took a small sample of breast tissue (called a biopsy) to look at under a microscope. The doctor also ordered another test, called a positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

In July, Andrea was finally diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, a type of breast cancer that begins in the glands that produce milk. “It took 7 months of testing and worry before I was diagnosed,” Andrea said.

“It Takes a Village”

Andrea’s husband, children, other family members, and friends helped her though cancer treatment. “The saying ‘it takes a village’ rang true as far as my support system,” she said.

Her coworkers at CDC were a huge part of her support system. “They very generously provided much-needed leave and set up a meal train that ensured my family didn’t go without a meal throughout the months when I went to surgery, chemo treatments, and radiation treatments,” Andrea explained. She is “forever grateful for the love and support.”

Be Proactive About Your Health

When reflecting on the ways her life changed when she was told she had cancer, Andrea said, “One of the main things I learned is that you must trust your gut. If I feel something is not right with my health, I don’t dismiss it.”

Andrea urges other women to continue to seek medical care until you find the answer. “If you don’t understand what is being explained to you, it is always okay to ask questions. I encountered many women during my chemo treatments that didn’t understand what was going on with their health or what to expect. Navigating this process can be hard. There is a huge need for advocates and volunteers to help patients navigate this process.”

3 comments on “World Cancer Day: Let’s Talk Openly About Cancer”

Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Read more about our comment policy » .

THANK YOU for ALERTING US ALL ABOUT WORLD CANCER DAY !! Great strides have been made in the FIGHT AGAINST CANCER & AWARENESS CONTINUES TO GROW. I am HONORED to support OUR AWARD WINNING PURPLE STARS of LAKE ASHTON & the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY . Let us all press forward our efforts to find a cure for any & all cancers. Many BLESSINGS go out to survivors & their family. 2020 was horrendous….PRAYERS that 2021 BRINGS A CURE !! FIGHT ON.

Great articles like this are vital because cancer is so real. Thanks for helping raise awareness about all kinds of cancer.

Your message is so important. Thank you for speaking up!

In June 2021, I lost my beloved wife to hereditary cancer because nobody talked openly about the family’s devastating cancer history and a germline BRCA2 mutation. Genetic testing and prophylactic surgery would have saved her life, but nobody spoke up when it mattered most.

Please keep speaking up about being open and proactive!

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World Cancer Day

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• World Health Organisation - World Cancer Day
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - World Cancer Day
• Official Site of the World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day , annual observance held on February 4 that is intended to increase global awareness of cancer . World Cancer Day originated in 2000 at the first World Summit Against Cancer, which was held in Paris. At this meeting, leaders of government agencies and cancer organizations from around the world signed the Charter of Paris Against Cancer, a document containing 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 “so that each year, the Charter of Paris will be in the hearts and minds of people around the world.”

Cancer awareness has become exceedingly important in the 21st century. While there have been numerous advancements in the understanding, diagnosis , and treatment of cancer—factors that should contribute to the decline of the disease—the number of new cancer cases diagnosed each year has globally continued to increase. There were 8.1 million new cases diagnosed in 1990, 10 million in 2000, 12.4 million in 2008, and 14.1 million in 2012. The number of annual deaths worldwide from cancer has also increased—from 5.2 million people in 1990 to 8.2 million people in 2012 to an estimated 9.6 million in 2018. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if the incidence of cancer continues to grow at the reported rate, the number of deaths worldwide from cancer will increase to more than 16.3 million by 2040. However, also according to WHO, as many as 40 percent of deaths from cancer are preventable. As a result, raising awareness of cancer prevention has become a prominent goal of many cancer and health organizations around the world, and World Cancer Day has come to represent an annual reaffirmation of the importance of this goal.

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC), an organization dedicated to increasing global cancer awareness, coordinates World Cancer Day and is supported in this effort by WHO and other international organizations. World Cancer Day serves as a formal launching point for the declaration of new themes and the release of new publications for the UICC’s World Cancer Campaign, which functions throughout the year and strives to raise cancer awareness by forming partnerships with health and cancer institutions and by proposing educational activities and creating public service announcements. In honour of World Cancer Day, many health institutions and cancer centres make available on their Web sites various educational publications and materials about cancer and cancer prevention. In some places World Cancer Day is recognized with a parade or a local fund-raising event, such as a walk, a gala, a concert, or an auction. In addition, some countries air special television broadcasts or radio programs about cancer during the week in which World Cancer Day occurs.

Because more than 70 percent of deaths from cancer occur in economically less-developed countries, World Cancer Day and the World Cancer Campaign have become important mechanisms for drawing attention to cancer prevention and treatment in these countries. For example, in Nicaragua, where access to cancer treatment centres was severely limited, World Cancer Day 2007 marked the beginning of an international collaboration designed to improve cancer-care resources within the country.

Speech on World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is a global event observed every year on February 4. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about cancer and encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment.

You might have heard about this day. It’s important because it helps people learn and understand more about this disease. World Cancer Day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year.

1-minute Speech on World Cancer Day

Greetings, everyone!

Today we gather to speak about World Cancer Day. This day is like a loud alarm clock. It wakes us up every year on February 4th, saying, “Cancer is real. Let’s fight it together.”

Cancer is a tough word. A word no one likes to hear. It’s a disease that can hit anyone, at any age. Children, parents, friends – no one is safe. But don’t let this scary truth make you afraid. Remember, fear won’t help, but knowledge will.

World Cancer Day helps us learn about cancer. It teaches us what cancer is, how it starts and how it spreads. It’s like a big classroom, where we all become students for a day. And our only homework is to share what we learn with others.

But knowledge is not enough. We also need action. World Cancer Day pushes us to act. It tells us to make healthy choices. Eat good food, play outdoor games, stay away from smoke. These small actions can stop cancer from knocking on our door.

This day also reminds us about the heroes battling cancer. Let’s cheer for them. Let’s stand by them. They are not alone, they have us. And we, together, are stronger than cancer.

Lastly, World Cancer Day is a promise. A promise to keep learning, keep acting, and keep supporting. A promise to win the fight against cancer.

So, let’s mark World Cancer Day not just on our calendars, but in our hearts too. Let’s turn fear into strength, and tears into smiles. Let’s beat cancer, together!

Also check:

2-minute Speech on World Cancer Day

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls,

Today, we gather to talk about a topic that touches us all – World Cancer Day. This day, the 4th of February, shines a light on a disease that many people fear. You might hear the word ‘cancer’ and feel scared or confused. But today, we want to talk about hope, bravery, and the fight against cancer.

Cancer is a disease that can hurt any part of your body. It is like a bad weed that grows where it should not. It can make people very sick. But we are not here to feel scared. We are here to fight back. There are many smart doctors and scientists around the world who are working hard to find ways to stop cancer. They are like our superheroes, fighting the bad guy every day.

World Cancer Day is a day to remember these superheroes. It is a day to say thank you for their hard work. But it is also a day for each one of us to become a superhero. How can we do that? We can learn about cancer. We can talk to our friends and family about it. We can help people who are fighting cancer to feel strong and loved.

Did you know that many cancers can be stopped before they start? Yes, it’s true! By living healthy lives, eating good food, playing a lot, and not smoking, we can keep our bodies strong and safe from cancer. This is something we all can do, no matter how young or old we are.

To end my speech, I want you all to remember this: Cancer is a big word, yes. It can be scary, yes. But we are bigger, and we are stronger. Together, we can fight cancer and win. We can make a world where cancer is no longer something to fear. Let’s use this World Cancer Day to start our fight. Let’s be brave, let’s be strong, and let’s stand together against cancer.

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World Cancer Day Speech in English Samples – Raising Awareness and Making a Difference

World Cancer Day Speech in English: World Cancer Day is an annual event observed on February 4th to raise awareness about the impact of cancer on individuals and communities worldwide. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the efforts made so far to fight cancer and commit to continued progress in the future. Key themes of World Cancer Day include unity, access to cancer care, prevention, and investment in cancer research and treatment. By working together and prioritizing these efforts, we can make a significant impact in reducing the burden of cancer. This article includes 10 lines on World Cancer Day, Short and long World Cancer Day Speech in English.

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Table of Contents

10 Lines on World Cancer Day Speech

Short world cancer day speech in english: 500 words, long world cancer day speech in english: 1000 words, world cancer day speech in english faqs.

• World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4th to raise awareness about the impact of cancer.
• Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and affects millions of people every year.
• The day promotes unity and collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, patient advocacy organizations, and government agencies.
• Improving access to cancer care and promoting early detection are critical in reducing the impact of cancer.
• The day also emphasizes the importance of cancer prevention through promoting healthy lifestyles and screening programs.
• Cancer has a significant economic impact on individuals and communities, including loss of income and increased healthcare costs.
• Investment in cancer research and treatment is crucial to make progress in the fight against cancer.
• World Cancer Day provides an opportunity to come together and make a commitment to continued progress in the fight against cancer.
• Every action counts, whether it be through education and advocacy, supporting cancer research and treatment, or promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Together, we can make a world with less cancer by raising awareness, improving access to care, and prioritizing prevention.

Check out the short World Cancer Day Speech in English sample below:

Hello everyone! World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4th to raise awareness about the impact of cancer on individuals and communities worldwide. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the efforts made so far to fight cancer and commit to continued progress in the future.

Cancer is a global health crisis that affects millions of people every year. Despite significant progress in the field of cancer research and treatment, it continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In order to make progress in fighting cancer, it is essential to increase public awareness and understanding of the disease.

One of the key themes of World Cancer Day is unity. By working together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against cancer. This includes increased collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, patient advocacy organizations, and government agencies. It also includes increased public engagement, including education and fundraising efforts to support cancer research and treatment.

Another key theme of World Cancer Day is access to cancer care. Despite advances in medical technology, many people around the world still lack access to basic cancer care services. This can include diagnostic tests, treatments, and support services such as palliative care. Improving access to cancer care is critical for reducing the global burden of cancer.

In addition to increasing awareness and access, it is also essential to prioritize cancer prevention. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, such as regular physical activity and a healthy diet, as well as screening programs to detect cancer early. Early detection is key to improving the chances of survival and reducing the impact of cancer on individuals and communities.

In conclusion, World Cancer Day provides an opportunity to come together and commit to continued progress in the fight against cancer. By working together, we can raise awareness, improve access to care, and prioritize prevention to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals and communities worldwide. Let us join forces and make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Check out the long World Cancer Day Speech in English sample of around 1000 words that is given below:

Hello Everyone! World Cancer Day is a globally recognized day observed annually on February 4th to raise awareness about the impact of cancer on individuals and communities worldwide. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the efforts made so far to fight cancer and commit to continued progress in the future.

Furthermore, there is a significant economic impact of cancer on individuals and communities. Cancer can result in loss of income, increased healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life. By addressing the challenges of cancer, we can reduce the impact on individuals and communities, and promote a healthier and more prosperous future.

In order to achieve these goals, it is essential to prioritize investment in cancer research and treatment. This includes funding for basic research to understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer, as well as the development of new treatments and technologies. It also includes investment in improving access to care, including increasing the availability of cancer care services in low- and middle-income countries.

In conclusion, World Cancer Day provides an opportunity to come together and commit to continued progress in the fight against cancer. By working together, we can raise awareness, improve access to care, and prioritize prevention to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals and communities worldwide. Let us join forces and make a difference in the fight against cancer. Whether it be through education and advocacy, supporting cancer research and treatment, or promoting healthy lifestyles, every action counts in the fight against cancer. Let us stand together to make a difference, and remember that together, we can make a world with less cancer.

World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4th.

The purpose of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness about the impact of cancer on individuals and communities worldwide, and to make a commitment to continued progress in the fight against cancer.

The key themes of World Cancer Day are unity, access to cancer care, prevention, and investment in cancer research and treatment.

Unity is significant in the fight against cancer as it emphasizes the need for collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, patient advocacy organizations, and government agencies to make a significant impact.

Investment in cancer research and treatment is important because it helps to make progress in understanding the underlying mechanisms of cancer, developing new treatments and technologies, and improving access to cancer care.

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• World Cancer Day 2024 Speech for Students in English

World Cancer Day Speech for Students in English:

Welcome, students, to a powerful World Cancer Day speech crafted just for you. In both the long and short versions, we delve into the significance of World Cancer Day 2024, emphasizing the World Cancer Day theme 2024 , ' Close the Care Gap .' Feel free to use these speeches to spread awareness and ignite discussions. Let's empower ourselves and others, creating a future where the impact of cancer is minimized. Together, we can make a difference. Now, let's embark on this journey of understanding, compassion, and unity in the fight against cancer.

Addressing students on World Cancer Day provides an opportunity to educate them about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and regular health check-ups. A sample speech could go like this:

Short Speech on World Cancer Day 2024:

"Good [morning/afternoon/evening] everyone,

Today, as we gather to mark World Cancer Day, it's essential to reflect on the impact of cancer and what we can do to make a difference. The World Cancer Day theme 2024 is “ Close the Care Gap ”, reminding us that each of us holds the power to influence change in the fight against cancer.

Cancer is a formidable opponent, affecting millions of lives globally. However, by understanding the disease, adopting healthy habits, and spreading awareness, we can take steps towards reducing its impact.

Empowerment begins with knowledge. By learning about the causes of cancer, the importance of early detection, and the significance of a healthy lifestyle, we equip ourselves to make informed choices. This knowledge is not only for our benefit but also to help others around us.

As students, you play a crucial role in raising awareness. Engaging in activities that promote healthy living and participating in discussions about cancer prevention can contribute significantly. Whether it's creating informative posters or organizing sessions to share knowledge, your actions can inspire positive change.

Let us use this day as a platform to empower ourselves and those around us. Each one of us has a role to play in the fight against cancer, whether it's through raising awareness, supporting research initiatives, or simply being there for someone in need. Together, we can make strides toward a future where cancer is preventable, treatable, and ultimately defeated.

Thank you, and let us stand united in the battle against cancer.

Long Speech on World Cancer Day 2024

Title: Empowering Futures: World Cancer Day 2024 Speech for Students

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, and most importantly, our inspiring students, thank you for joining me on this significant occasion - World Cancer Day 2024. This day holds profound importance globally as we come together to raise awareness, foster unity, and empower ourselves in the fight against cancer.

World Cancer Day , celebrated annually on the 4th of February, is a beacon of hope and a call to action. This year, the World Cancer Day theme 2024 – is ' Close the Care Gap’ . This theme underscores the importance of equal access to quality healthcare for all, aiming to bridge the gaps that exist in cancer care around the world.

As we delve into the significance of this day, let's first understand why it's crucial. Cancer, a formidable adversary, affects millions of lives globally. It's a diagnosis that knows no boundaries – it doesn't discriminate based on age, gender, or socio-economic status. This is where World Cancer Day plays a pivotal role, reminding us that in unity, we find strength.

World Cancer Day History:

To appreciate the present, let's glance at the past. World Cancer Day was established in 2000, evolving into a global movement that transcends borders and communities. It's a day not only to remember those who fought bravely against cancer but also to acknowledge the progress we've made and the challenges that lie ahead.

Now, let's delve into the heart of the matter – 'Close the Care Gap.' What does this theme mean for us as students?

Imagine a world where everyone, regardless of where they come from or who they are, has equal access to quality cancer care. It's a world where financial constraints don't determine the course of treatment. This isn't a utopian dream; it's a tangible goal we can work towards. And you, as students, have a significant role to play in achieving it.

World Cancer Day Activities for Students:

The question then arises – what can we do to contribute to this cause? The answer lies in education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Firstly, get informed. Knowledge is power. Explore resources on early detection, prevention tips, and breakthroughs in cancer research. Share this knowledge, spark conversations, and break the silence surrounding this disease.

Next, challenge the stigma. Cancer is not a death sentence; it's a battle. Let's put an end to the whispers, the fear, and the discrimination. Talk openly about cancer, offer support to those affected, and celebrate every victory, no matter how small.

Now, let's move on to supporting the cause. Whether it's donating to research organizations, volunteering your time, or simply raising awareness on social media, every action, no matter how small, creates ripples that collectively make a significant difference.

Lastly, take care of yourself. This isn't just about fighting cancer; it's about living life to the fullest. Eat healthily, move your body, prioritize mental well-being, and embrace every precious moment.

In closing, I want to leave you with a powerful thought. Cancer is not invincible. With knowledge, unity, and compassion, we can conquer it. As students, you are the future. You have the power to shape a world where cancer's impact is minimized, where hope doesn't have a price tag. Together, let's be the architects of a future where everyone has equal access to quality care. Remember, the fight against cancer is not solitary; it's our shared journey towards triumph. Thank you.”

Essay on World Cancer Day:

Speaking of sharing knowledge, I encourage you to visit our blog, where you'll find an insightful essay on World Cancer Day 2024. It's a great resource to deepen your understanding and find inspiration for spreading awareness.

World Cancer Day 2024 , observed annually on February 4th, stands as a global rallying point against cancer's impact. As we unite to World Cancer Day theme 2024 , 'Close the Care Gap,' remember the battle against cancer is conquerable. In both the long and short speeches provided, find motivation and insights to empower your fight against this formidable foe. Students, feel free to utilize these speeches in your schools and colleges, becoming ambassadors of awareness and change. Together, let's shape a world where hope is universal and the fight against cancer is a shared triumph. Thank you for joining in this crucial endeavour.

FAQs on World Cancer Day Speech for Students in English:

1. Why is World Cancer Day celebrated on February 4th every year?

World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4th to raise global awareness, dispel myths, and encourage preventive measures against cancer.

2. What is World Cancer Day theme 2024?

The theme for World Cancer Day 2024 is "Close the Care Gap," emphasizing the need for equal access to quality healthcare for all in the fight against cancer.

3. How can students contribute to World Cancer Day 2024?

Students can actively participate by using the provided speeches in schools and colleges, engaging in awareness activities, and sharing knowledge to support the theme of closing the care gap.

4. Why is 'Closing the Care Gap' important in the fight against cancer?

Closing the care gap is crucial to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has equal access to quality cancer care, addressing disparities in treatment and outcomes.

5. How can the speeches provided by Vedantu be utilized by students?

The speeches, both the long and short versions, are valuable resources for students to use in schools, colleges, and other platforms. They serve as tools for spreading awareness, motivating others, and actively participating in the fight against cancer.

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• Speech Writing /

World Cancer Day Speech in English for Students

• Updated on  
• Feb 5, 2024

World Cancer Day Speech: In the modern world, health problems have gained significant momentum, given our fast and unhealthy lifestyle. Doctors and medical professionals often tell us to take good care of our health, by eating a balanced diet, keeping ourselves hydrated, regular exercise, managing stress, etc. But did you know there is a large section of people who follow these practices but still fall victim to cancer?

Table of Contents

• 1 Why Do We Celebrate World Cancer Day?
• 2 2-Minute World Cancer Day Speech
• 3 10 Lines on World Cancer Day

Cancer is one of the largest health problems in the world, with around 1 crore (10 million) people annually dying due to this disease. The World Health Organisation has identified more than 200 types of cancers, popular ones being lung or breast cancer, prostate, pancreatic, cervical, colorectal, etc. 

World Cancer Day is annually celebrated on 4th February by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The World Cancer Day objective is the raise cancer awareness and encourage, detection, prevention, and treatment. The World Cancer Day 2024 theme is ‘Close the Care Gap’.  Below we have discussed a World Cancer speech for school students.

Also Read: Essay on Health and Fitness for Students

‘Y ou never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.’ – Bob Marley

Why Do We Celebrate World Cancer Day?

World Cancer Day is observed to raise awareness about cancer and how to cure its different stages. Detection of early cancer can help its prevention and treatment. On World Cancer Day, that is, the 4th of February, doctors, and medical professionals organize events where they raise awareness about cancer, its detection, prevention, and treatment. 

Moreover, the Union for International Cancer Council (UICC) highlights certain other key issues related to cancer. These include:

• Equity in access to cancer care.
• Prevention and risk reduction.
• Awareness, understanding myths and misinformation.
• Government action and accountability
• Beyond physical: mental and emotional impact
• Saving lives saves money
• Reducing the skills gap
• Working together as one

Also Read: Essay on Health is Wealth

2-Minute World Cancer Day Speech

‘Good morning my friends and teacher (s). Today, I stand before you to present my ‘World Cancer Day Speech’. World Cancer Day is an important day in our calendar, as it raises awareness about one of the most prominent diseases; cancer. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer has 4 stages, starting from 1 to 4, which determine the severity of this disease.’

‘At present, Scientists and doctors have identified more than 200 types of cancers. But do you know there are some curable cancers? Cancers like thyroid, prostate, and testicular are all curable. The most dangerous ones are Lung and bronchial cancer, which cause a maximum number of deaths.’

‘Through World Cancer Day, we all can learn how early detection and prevention of cancer. We can learn what are the symptoms of cancer and what are the curable methods in the early stage. By becoming more knowledgeable about cancer, we can take precautionary measures.’

‘At age, we must take good care of our physical and mental well-being. Cancer is mostly prominent in middle-aged people. Age is considered as the biggest risk factor for cancer. More than 90% of cancer patients are aged 45 or above. As the number goes up, so does the number of cancer patients.’

‘Let me tell you something interesting. Cancer does not discriminate. It is the access to quality healthcare, early detection, and emotional support that can significantly help in its prevention. It requires collective responsibility from the patients, their families and friends, doctors and even governments.’

‘World Cancer Day reminds us to become aware of common cancer symptoms that must be detected and prevented early to stop or limit their spread. That’s why we must have regular medical check-ups and visit our doctors to know what’s going on inside our body and how well our organs are functioning.

Thank you.’

10 Lines on World Cancer Day

Here are 10 lines on World Cancer Day. Feel free to add them to your World Cancer Day Speech or any similar school topics.

• World Cancer Day is annually observed on 4th February
• World Cancer Day 2024 theme is ‘Closing the Care Gap’.
• WCD meetings are organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
• World Cancer Day was started in 2000, and since then has grown into a positive movement.
• Fighting cancer is considered one of the greatest challenges in history.
• Treating cancer requires collective responsibility from the patient’s family, friends, and medical professionals.
• Cancer causes more deaths than HIV/ AIDs, Malaria, and Tuberculosis combined.
• In India, the India Cancer Research Consortium (ICRC) has been established to monitor cancer patients and raise awareness, about its early detection and prevention.
• Cancer is most prevalent in middle-aged and senior citizens.
• Equitable access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care can save lives.

Ans: ‘At present, Scientists and doctors have identified more than 200 types of cancers. But do you know there are some curable cancers? Cancers like thyroid, prostate, and testicular are all curable. The most dangerous ones are Lung and bronchial cancer, which causes a maximum number of deaths.’ ‘Through World Cancer Day, we all can learn how early detection and prevention of cancer. We can learn what are the symptoms of cancer and what are the curable methods in the early stage. By becoming more knowledgeable about cancer, we can take precautionary measures.’

Ans: World Cancer Day is annually observed on 4th February by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). 

Ans: World Cancer Day can raise awareness among students to learn more about cancer, its causes, prevention, and treatment. students can empower themselves and others to take proactive steps in prevention, early detection, and supporting those affected by the disease. WCD can encourage students to become advocates for cancer awareness and prevention.

Related Articles

This was all about the World Cancer Day speech. We hope we were able to provide you with all the necessary information you were looking for. For more information on such interesting speech topics for your school, visit our speech writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid - World Cancer Day speech

Health Secretary Sajid Javid's speech at the Francis Crick Institute on World Cancer Day.

Every second counts.

Do you know that every 90 seconds, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer.

In the time that it will take me to speak to you today, 13 people will get the news that their world will be turned upside down.

I lost my Dad to this vicious disease, and I know all too well the grief and the heartbreak that that brings.

He had colon cancer, but by the time that he was diagnosed it was too late. It had already spread to his lungs and liver.

I was so moved by the dedicated care that he received in his final days and I will be eternally grateful to Macmillan for the compassion that they showed him and my whole family.

This painful experience also impressed upon me that when it comes to cancer there isn’t a moment to spare.

Who knows, that if he had been diagnosed a bit earlier he may still be with us today and he could have been alive to see me become the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

You see my story is one of many.

There are around 166,000 cancer deaths per year, a daunting statistic.

But our experience of COVID-19 has shown us what we can do when we all unite against a common threat.

By putting all of the country’s effort and infrastructure behind one shared goal, we achieve things that would have seemed impossible.

Building Nightingale hospitals in a matter of days sending millions of free rapid flow tests to households across the country and vaccinating over 10% of the adult population in just one week.

Now that COVID-19 is in retreat, we cannot lose that spirit.

And we must capture it and think ambitiously about how we can apply it to other health threats that we all face.

Today is, of course, World Cancer Day.

So, let’s make this the day where we declare a national war on cancer.

The story of the past few years has been one of some progress.

The figures for survival a year after diagnosis have increased by over ten percentage points over the past 15 years, that’s a remarkable achievement.

But we do need to go a lot further.

Despite the very best efforts of the NHS staff who did so much to keep seeing cancer patients throughout the pandemic, throughout the last two years we know that COVID-19 has had a major impact on cancer care.

There are still around, we estimate, some 34,000 people who haven’t come into cancer services for treatment.

And on top of all this - although we lead the way in Europe for some cancers like melanoma and some others we do sit far behind some other countries with some other cancers.

The CONCORD study has ranked the UK 14th out of 28 countries that were studied for the diagnosis of breast cancer and we’re behind other large countries in Europe when it comes to survival rates for ovarian cancer.

So today we’re taking the first step in doing a lot, lot more. And that’s why I’ve published today a call for evidence that will inform a new 10 Year Cancer Plan for England. A searching new vision for how we will lead the world in cancer care.

This plan will show how we are learning the lessons from the pandemic and how we will apply them to improving cancer services over the next decade.

It will take a far-reaching look at what we want cancer care to be in 2032 – ten years from now.

Looking at all stages, looking at prevention, looking at diagnosis, looking at vaccines and treatments.

First, we must prevent people from getting cancer in the first place.

Traditional interventions have been focused further down the chain, on the treatments that are so vital for those that have already been diagnosed.

But the greatest impact we can have is preventing these people from needing cancer care at all.

The causes of cancer of course they are varied and they’re complex, but we know that for example that smoking is one of the greatest factors.

In 2019, a quarter of deaths from cancers were estimated to be due to smoking.

Although there are positive signs that smoking is declining there are still around 6 million people who smoke regularly in England.

My ambition is for England to be smoke free by 2030 and this year we will publish a new Tobacco Control Plan for England setting out how we are going to get there.

This will have a focus on reducing smoking rates in the most disadvantaged areas and groups.

And to inform this plan, I’m pleased to announce that Javed Khan the former Chief Executive of Barnado’s will be leading an independent review looking at what more we can do to drive down those smoking rates and help people give up smoking for good.

Javed will be able to bring to bear his vast experience from the public and voluntary sectors. I’m thrilled that he will be leading on this lifesaving work.

Obesity is also a major risk factor, and we are striving to halve childhood obesity by 2030 including through the measures that are in the Health and Care Bill, which is going through Parliament right now.

Alcohol consumption, too, this is linked to many types of cancers and we’re rolling out specialist Alcohol Care Teams in hospitals where rates of alcohol related admissions are highest.

We estimate that this will prevent some 50,000 admissions over the next five years.

And you know as that old adage goes: prevention is better than cure. But this is critical when prevention means sparing patients and their loved ones the anxiety of that cancer diagnosis.

This prevention agenda and this government’s work to level up across the country, it’s really two sides of the same coin.

Why, because many of those risk factors of cancer that I’ve just talked about like obesity and like smoking they have a strong link with social deprivation.

For instance, in 2020, around 20 per cent of the adult population of Blackpool were smokers, compared to 7 per cent in Barnet.

There are stark disparities when it comes to cancer outcomes too.

The proportion of people whose cancer is diagnosed at any early stage is around 8 percentage points lower in the most deprived areas compared to the most affluent.

To tolerate such disparities for such a major killer is to accept the greater risk of death solely based on your background, where you live, what social group you might belong to.

I cannot accept this. I have made tackling disparities one of my most pressing priorities as the Secretary of State.

And on Wednesday, we announced that we will be publishing a Health Disparities White Paper this year looking at how we can tackle the core drivers of inequalities in health and I see plenty of areas where we can level up disparities on cancer.

Take for instance clinical trials.

We must work harder to get people from a wider range of backgrounds represented.

This is not just a scientific necessity but also a moral one.

Making sure that the clinical trials that take place, that they are developing treatments that are effective for all patients.

But currently some communities are under-represented, which we cannot tolerate when the stakes are so high.

We must also look at what we can do to address the variation in cancer outcomes across the country.

The Targeted Lung Health Checks Programme offers a shining example of what can be done.

Rather than people coming to us, we go to them taking mobile trucks into the heart of local communities.

After successful pilots in Manchester and Liverpool, we rolled them out to targeted areas across the country where we knew people were of the greatest risk.

The results have been phenomenal.

Within this programme, a massive 80 per cent of lung cancers are being diagnosed at an early stage, compared to less than 30 per cent before.

Many of these people were fit and healthy and had no symptoms at all.

One married couple Danny and Christine from Hull they both went to get checked in a supermarket car park and they soon received the sad news that Danny had lung cancer.

But because he was diagnosed early, they were able to act very quickly and now they have both given up smoking and these two, Danny and Christine are encouraging others to come forward and take advantage of this initiative.

When I talk about lung cancer, I can’t also help thinking about my late friend and colleague James Brokenshire, who we still miss very dearly.

Thanks to this programme, we have been able to give far more people a far better chance against cancer and of living a longer and healthier lives with their loved ones.

This approach has so much potential, and I want to look at how we can roll out more of these targeted types of measures.

To right the wrongs that currently exist and to level up on cancer care across the country.

You know one of the privileges of being able to this job, is being able to speak to this country’s brilliant cancer charities and foremost experts in cancer care on a regular basis as I just did a couple of hours ago in a round table that I held just here.

There’s a common consensus and this came through in the round table, there is a common consensus that one of the most important ways of making an impact on cancer outcomes is early diagnosis.

The majority of deaths from cancer come because we sadly catch it too late, like my father. Detecting the disease early can save time, save money, but most importantly, can save lives.

It is likely that early stage diagnoses have reduced over the past 18 months due to the pressures of the pandemic but we’ve taken steps to get us moving in the right direction.

We have announced a new network for example of Community Diagnostic Centres which are already doing amazing work in communities across the country offering patients quicker and easier access to vital cancer tests.

In their first seven months, they have already provided more than 400,000 tests and we expect to see over two million extra scans in their first full year of operation.

The NHS Long Term Plan, it rightly has a big focus on early intervention and commits to diagnosing 75% of cancers at stage 1 and stage 2 by 2028.

The most recent data impacted of course sadly by the pandemic for 2019. It shows that we are currently at 55% but I want to see if we can even set a mission to exceed the 75% target.

And to do this, we’ll have to take every opportunity to give people the certainty that diagnosis can provide.

So that the Call for Evidence, this demonstrates the ambitious plans that we have for the next decade.

Extending screening to more people, for example by extending bowel screening to people aged between 50 and 60 by 2024/2025 launching a new programme for liver surveillance along with working with primary care to trial new routes into the system, like using community pharmacy and perhaps even self-referral.

But if there’s more we can do, we want to hear about it, and that’s why this Call for Evidence is so important.

I’m especially interested in how we can encourage young people to come forward and make sure that when they do they are diagnosed quickly.

I was so moved to meet a very inspiring woman Charlotte Fairall someone I met just before Christmas with her constituency MP.

Charlotte’s daughter Sophie was sadly taken by an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 10.

This went unnoticed by a GP before it was diagnosed in A&E, diagnosed by a paediatrician, who found a tumour that was 12 centimetres long.

Charlotte is now a dedicated fundraiser and a passionate advocate for improving childhood cancer care and by meeting her that had a great impact on me.

Last year the UK Health Security Agency, they produced the first UK-wide report on cancer in young people which showed that every day in the UK 10 children or young people are diagnosed with cancer.

We know that patterns of cancer in young people are very different to adults.

We already know this, so treating cancer for young people as a distinct speciality was pioneered in the UK and it has been replicated in many other countries across the world.

But there’s still much more progress that we need to make, especially to improve recognition and on early diagnosis and this is an area where I will be placing a particular focus in the years ahead.

Everyone is different and has their specific own treatment needs.

I want every patient to have the support they need, that’s going to be tailored to them both during and after their treatment.

In the future, more and more people will have cancer alongside other conditions so care centred around the individual is going to be absolutely crucial.

We’ve already made huge strides, and around 83% of all cancer multidisciplinary teams have adopted personalised care and that’s up from 25% in 2017.

But we will keep striving to get this number up and to improve follow-up care for cancer patients so that patients have someone to turn to even in the years after they finish their treatment.

And as we keep working to improve care, we will draw on the innovation and the enterprise that has proved its worth during this pandemic.

As one of the clinical leaders here at the Crick recently said: cancer is “an evolving system that plays by evolving rules”.

As cancer evolves, we must evolve too, and the best way we can do that is by embarking on new technologies and treatments and by making this country the best place in the world to develop them.

The past two years have shown the sparks of ingenuity that can fly when public and private sectors they work seamlessly together.

Now we must use this to transform all parts of cancer care, from referral, through the diagnosis, and then through the treatment.

In the Life Sciences Vision, we identified cancer as an area where we can use cutting-edge technologies to make a real difference.

The Office for Life Sciences and Genomics England have done so much to build bridges with industry and to improve care for patients and if you look around an NHS ward you will see the most incredible technologies being pioneered in this country.

Before I came here today, earlier this morning, I visited University College London Hospital to see how they are using proton beam therapy using high energy protons to precisely target tumours reducing the damage to nearby healthy tissues. I also saw, and it was fascinating technology, I think David the CEO is with us here today. I also saw a few months before that, I saw in a visit to Milton Keynes Hospital. I saw how they have been the first hospital, the first in Europe to use state-of-the-art surgical robots for major gynaecological surgery including complex cancer cases.

Most exciting of all, the NHS is currently embarking on the most important trial of early detection for generations.

This is the NHS-Galleri Trial which explores how we can detect cancer early when used alongside existing cancer screening.

This trial has been set up and recruited at a pace that we have never seen before anywhere in the world, and is showing already great promise with the potential to transform how we detect cancer in this country.

But I don’t want us to just stop there. I want to see many more Galleris.

There are so many other technologies and treatments that have great promise and we do need to make the most of them.

I want us to keep deploying the most cutting-edge technologies like AI, backed by our AI Health and Care Award.

I want to explore how we can do more on personalised treatments such as immuno-oncology using the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, to control, and eliminate cancer.

Just as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen how vaccines gave us a solution.

I also want us to explore every avenue on how vaccines can help us fight cancer too.

You know we already have the HPV vaccine for some forms of cancer, like cervical cancer and here I’m determined to get the uptake of this vaccine back up on track because of the disruption of the pandemic.

And this vaccine, the HPV vaccine is already a true success story.

Data published just a few months ago showed how it is cutting cases of cervical cancer by almost 90%.

Over 80 million people have now received the vaccine worldwide, including my three daughters.

Due to the huge advances in vaccines and testing we have the very real possibility now to all but eradicate cervical cancer in my lifetime.

A really exciting mission that we can all get behind.

Although it might be some way on the horizon, there is also the potential I think to develop vaccines for other forms of cancer too.

Of course cancer vaccines are going to be notoriously difficult.

After all, we know that cancers develop specifically because they evade immune control.

But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try.

And I want to intensify research in this area, building on the huge advances that were made during the pandemic on mRNA technology.

And that research, you know the technology that had not been deployed until the pandemic came along, and look how fast the world moved to make use of it.

But the latest technologies, it’s also important to remember that they really cannot work without the data that sit behind them and health and care data in particular has so much potential for innovation and for researchers.

While the lessons of the pandemic was how much value there was where we could unlock this data.

Here in the UK, we linked the primary care records of millions of people to the latest COVID-19 data meaning that we were able to conduct the world’s largest analysis of coronavirus risk factors.

And I think we can apply these lessons to cancer too.

This is an area where this country has so many natural strengths.

We have one national health care system which means that we have all this valuable data effectively stored in one place.

This includes one of the best cancer registries in the world which, unlike many comparable countries, logs every single cancer case that’s been diagnosed in England.

The OpenSAFELY analytics platform has shown what can be done.

It has used health and care data to identify which areas of the country have lower rates of testing for prostate cancer so that we can then take targeted action.

What we need now is to build on this and drive the use of data even further.

Including reducing the lag in early diagnosis performance data - which can act as a big barrier for researchers - from years to just a matter of weeks and days.

This Call for Evidence invites views on what more we can do to promote the safe sharing of data to power the most cutting-edge technologies in the NHS.

The document we are publishing today shows our determination to thwart this menace that’s taken so many lives.

This is a big priority for me and my department and I’m delighted also to be able to call on Maria Caulfield and my ministerial team a former NHS nurse that specialised in cancer care.

But you all know that governments cannot do this alone.

We will need a new national mission, that’s drawing on the best of humanity to defeat this threat to us all.

We want to hear views from far and wide to help us shape this work. That’s the point of the call of evidence.

I want to hear from cancer patients, from their loved ones, people working in cancer care, pioneering researchers like those here at the Crick, some I met today. I can’t tell you how impressed I’ve been by them, and many, many more.

So please join us in this new effort so fewer people face the heartache of losing a loved one to this wretched disease.

Because every second counts.

Thank you all very much for listening, thank you.

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• Regional Director
• Speeches & Messages

World Cancer Day 2024

Message of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti

In August 2023, I attended a cervical cancer meeting with survivors and was excited by the potential of new tools to accelerate access to vaccination, screening, and treatment. One of the things survivors said was the need for leaders to listen to their stories.

On the 4th of February every year, the world unites to raise awareness on fundamental cancer issues; we at the WHO African Region connect with the public in spearheading this annual awareness day and beyond. 

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. 

The cancer situation in Africa is disheartening. In the year 2020, approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases occurred on the continent, with around 700 000 deaths. About 50% of new cancer cases in adults in Africa are due to breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers.   If urgent measures are not taken, cancer mortality in the region is projected to reach about one million deaths per year by 2030. Also, in 20 years, cancer death rates in Africa will overtake the global average of 30%. This is more so because cancer survival rates in the WHO African region currently average 12%, much lower than the average of over 80% in High-Income Countries. 

Nevertheless, we commend the progress made in cancer prevention and care in our region. For instance, 17 countries  have introduced high-performance-based screening tests in line with the WHO recommendations. Also, 28 of our Member States have introduced nationwide HPV vaccination to reach about 60% of the priority population targeted with HPV vaccination.  

This year’s theme is auspicious as it reinforces all persons and groups’ universal right to health.  We believe that regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, age, and gender, every person must be afforded an equal chance at the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. 

We call on the region’s countries, communities, partners, and civil society to unite and foster universal access to cancer prevention and care. 

Stakeholders must identify feasible priorities, implement evidence-based population-wide interventions and invest in cancer control. 

Countries should use the updated WHO Best Buys , the facilitative tool designed to enable governments to select lifesaving policies and interventions for noncommunicable diseases. 

Leaders are responsible for ensuring that cancer prevention and care deploy technologies and therapies that are available at low cost to affected persons and their families, which are value for money. Furthermore, countries should strengthen information systems to gather quality data for decision-making. 

We reiterate that civil society, especially organizations of cancer survivors or persons with lived cancer experiences, are critical in the fight against cancer in Africa. Such a whole-of-society approach to cancer prevention and care is the essence of this year’s World Cancer Day theme.  

“Together, we challenge those in power” to go the extra mile for a cancer-free Africa! 

Learn more:

Cancer Today (iarc.fr)

WHO report on cancer: setting priorities, investing wisely and providing care for all

Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting (who.int)

New recommendations for screening and treatment to prevent cervical cancer (who.int)

Cervical cancer | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

Three African countries pilot initiative to boost cervical and breast cancer care | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

Beating childhood cancer | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (who.int)

Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative

The Global Breast Cancer Initiative (who.int)

WHO and St. Jude to dramatically increase global access to childhood cancer medicines