World Cancer Day 2012
Taking place every year on 4 February World Cancer Day is the singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic.
World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), through which the aim is to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease.
This year the day has been themed 'Together it is possible' because it is only by every person, organisation, government individually doing their part that the world will be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other NCDs by 25% by 2025.
World Cancer Day 2012 is particularly important as it falls almost half a year after the first UN High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the signing of the Political Declaration by all 192 UN Member States supporting prevention and control of these devastating conditions, which include cancer.
This World Cancer Day is therefore a key opportunity for everyone affected by cancer to work together to ensure that world leaders live up to the cancer-specific promises (including around vaccinations and screening for cervical and breast cancer) made at the High-Level Meeting, and that they take the following actions:
- Develop targets and indicators to measure the implementation of policies and approaches to prevent and control cancer.
- Raise the priority accorded to cancer in the global development agenda.
- Promote a multisectoral response to cancer.
In addition, the day is a crucial vehicle for the global community to use to convince their governments to commit to reducing premature deaths from NCDs (Non-communicable Diseases) by 25% by 2025 - a target the World Health Organization believes to be achievable.
www.worldcancerday.org