World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is observed on 4 February each year by the World Health Organization (WHO) and more than 280 cancer-fighting organizations in over 90 countries. Led by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), it is designed to reduce the global burden of cancer. In addition to raising awareness of cancer prevention, promoting ways to improve the life quality of cancer patients is another theme of World Cancer Day.

Following the rapid development of the modern industry, cancer has become a major life killer around the world. According the WHO, 84 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015 if no effective intervention measures are taken in time. It was under such a milieu that World Cancer Day was born.

“Today’s children, tomorrow’s world”, the overall theme of World Cancer Day, is a five-year program launched on World Cancer Day, 2007. From 2008 to 2011, each year will focus on a specific issue concerning cancer prevention:

2008 – give children and young people a smoke-free environment.

2009 – encourage an energy-balanced lifestyle based on healthy diet and physical activity.

2010 – promote knowledge about vaccines against viruses that cause cancers (e.g. HBV vaccines).

2011 – teach children and teenagers to avoid UV exposure by being “sun smart”.