World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
- World Cancer Day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.
- The primary goal of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer by 2020.
- World Cancer Day targets misinformation, raises awareness, and reduces stigma.
- Multiple initiatives run on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer.
- For 2016 to 2018, the theme for observing World Cancer Day is 'We Can. I can.'
- Under this theme, people are expected to, individually and collectively, understand and work towards lessening the impact and harmful effects of the condition globally.
- The Empire State building in United States will be lit blue and orange, after the colours of the UICC — the eighth year in a row.
- The theme will mobilise people to work towards generating more discussions on and about cancer and for making it an issue of highest concern in terms of political discussions as well.
- On our part, individuals can lessen the risk of getting diagnosed with cancer by avoiding tobacco, alcohol consumption and maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and proper physical activity.
- It is important to get regular medical check-ups done and to be aware and spread word about the symptoms that could indicate a cancer scare.
- Further, people can render emotional support to the ones battling cancer by sharing their own stories of surviving the life-threatening condition.
