World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on February 4. It was first marked in 2000 at the first summit against cancer in Paris, France. The celebrations are led by the Union for International Cancer Control.
The theme of World Cancer 2021 is ''I Am And I Will”. February is also known as the National Cancer Awareness Month.
The Union for International Cancer Control was founded by a group of cancer researchers in 1933. It was started by Dr. Jacques Bandaline. UICC is the only organisation which is dedicated to uniting and working with the cancer community. It has a membership base of over 1,200 organisations in 172 countries.
Every year, hundreds of activists gather and march to spread awareness and encourage people for treatment. Social media and OTT platforms are also used to raise the importance of early detection of the disease which reduces the fatality rate.
In India, some common types of cancer are breast cancer, oral cancer, cervical Cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and colorectal cancer. Today, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. At least 17 people succumb to the disease every minute.
According to reports in 2018, an estimated 18.1 million people were diagnosed with cancer and it is expected that by 2030, this number will rise to 21.6 million.
