It's The 20th Anniversary Of World Cancer Day

Feb 04, 2020 by apost team

February 4, 2020, marks the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day! 

So let's take the opportunity to learn more about cancer and the importance of this special day.

What Exactly Is Cancer?

According to the World Cancer Day website, cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the body that leads to the formation of a lump called a tumor (except for leukemia, the cancer of the white blood cells and bone marrow). The disease can arise at any age and can occur anywhere in the body therefore it's is not just one disease as there are many types of cancer. If cancer is not detected or left untreated, it might spread and increase a person's risk of death.

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Important Facts and figures

• Each year 9.6 million people die due to cancer
• About 1/3 of cancer cases could have been prevented by reducing behavioral and dietary risks like tobacco use, alcohol use or high body mass index.
• Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally.
• 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• Each year close to 4 million people could be saved by implementing the right strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment.

World Cancer Day

On February 4, 2000, the World Cancer Day (WCD) originated at the World Summit Against Cancer in Paris. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) was the one who started the initiative 20 years ago. With the World Cancer Day, the UICC aims to raise awareness and help people understand what cancer really is. According to their website, their goal is to "significantly reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda."

This year's World Cancer Day is part of the initiative's 3-year campaign with the theme: ‘I Am and I Will’. The campaign "is an empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future"

Do you know everything there's is to know about cancer? Probably not … so it might be a good idea to educate yourself a little more on World Cancer Day. Don't forget to pass this article along to your friends and family and be sure to pray for everyone suffering from cancer.