Publish date: 4 February 2022
It is World Cancer Day today, taking place every year on February 4 to inspire action around the globe to create a future without cancer.
The day was started in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control and the day aims to raise awareness of cancer, improve education and encourage global action to save millions of preventable deaths.
Organisations around the world will be taking part, and Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance has produced a video with some messages from staff who work at the Alliance sharing what it means to them to work to improve cancer services.
Watch the video below.
A spokesperson for World Cancer Day said: “By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, we are all working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all - no matter who you are or where you live.
“Created in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.
“Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organisations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks, community halls, places of worship - in the streets and online - acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer.
“While we live in a time of awe-inspiring advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, many of us who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn. Income, education, geographical location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care.
“So this year's World Cancer Day's theme, ‘Close the Care Gap’, is all about raising awareness of this equity gap that affects almost everyone, in high as well as low- and middle-income countries, and is costing lives.”
You can learn more about World Cancer Day by following this link: https://www.worldcancerday.org/