Whether you’ve lost a loved one to cancer, know someone who is battling the disease, or you’re fighting it yourself, mark out the 4th of February in your calendar. This day is one of the most celebrated health awareness days worldwide, with last year seeing over 900 activities and events in over 105 countries. This year, the aim is to surpass that and display support for everyone affected by cancer.

World Cancer Day 2023 is about moving closer to the goal

The “Close the Care Gap” campaign is in its second year, with one more to go. As a global society, the aim is to move toward a world where nobody dies from a preventable cancer or has to experience unnecessary suffering. In this ideal, each and every person gets access to the cancer care they need.

On the 4th of February, the focus for World Cancer Day – as led by the UICC – is on reducing the inequalities that exist in accessing quality cancer services worldwide.

Calling for change and taking action

World Cancer Day in 2023 is about looking at how we can unite individuals and organisations, as well as advocates and policymakers so that real change can hap- pen and more action can be engaged. It is also about taking the time to celebrate the progress that we’ve seen in the past, from significant medical innovations and positive research to small actions of support for those going through cancer. Things like communities understanding the impact of a healthy lifestyle and beginning to avoid unhealthy products like tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed foods. Companies who produce these products are starting to take accountability for their role in this disease.

What is happening on World Cancer Day 2023

  • Hundreds of activities taking place around the world, including UICC’s “5k Challenge”
  • Organisations encouraging people from all walks of life to close a loop of five kilometres by running, cycling, swimming, hiking, walking or other means, symbolising closing the care gap.
  • “21-day challenges” for people to create new positive healthy habits, help eliminate cervical cancer or educate themselves and speak out about inequities in accessing cancer services.
  • An in-depth look at the socioeconomic factors, such as cultural contexts, gender norms, income and education levels, as well as the prejudices, discrimination and assumptions based on age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability and lifestyle that create wide disparities in cancer prevention, incidence and survival.
  • A call for renewed action to improve cancer awareness, practice cancer prevention, support innovations in diagnostics and treatment, and address inequities and weaknesses in health systems exposed by COVID-19.

Bottom line In 2023 we are starting to get closer to where we want to be and ensure access to care. As long as we focus on continued progress, we can Close the Care Gap.

You and your immediate family have access to the ICAS EWP which provides an omnichannel point of access.

Written by LifeAssist