Establishing the union for international cancer control (UICC) in 1993, the world cancer day was made official at the first world summit against cancer in 2000 raising awareness, catalyzing personal and government actions.
Observed worldwide every February 4th, this day advocate the targets of world cancers declarations, an initiative aimed at offering opportunities to work actively and contribute to the life betterment of patents and survivors by extension reduce the stigma about the disease which is today , the second leading cause of death in the world.
Its primary goal is to focus on positive actions thereby reducing the number by one third of the premature deaths from cancer and non communicable diseases by 2030.
Commemorated this year, under the theme, “I Am and I Will”, meant to understand that, every action put in place to fight against cancer, matters. “This year is a reminder of our enduring power of cooperation and collective actions, when we choose to come together, we can achieve what we call wish for: A healthier, brighter world without cancer. Together, all of our action matter.” reads a statement on the official website of World Cancer Day.
In his message, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, wealth health organization Regional Director for Africa, reminds us that over the past 20 years, the number of new cancer cases in the African Region has increased, from 338,000 reported cases in 2002 to about 846,000 cases reported in 2020. The most common are breast cancer, cervical, prostate, bowel, and colon, rectal and liver cancers.
A message, which by extensions recommends the intensification of the human papillomavirus vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
Just like each year, on this day, hundreds of events and fundraisers take place around the world, bringing together individuals, communities and organizations, hospital, schools, businesses, markets, community halls, parks just to name but this, all to campaign and deliver the powerful reminder, that those hit by the cancer are not a lone and will all share a responsibility in reducing the global impact of the disease.
Source 237campus.com
by Paola MEGNE
