The importance of World Cancer Day |04 February 2021
February 4 is internationally known as World Cancer Day. Today, the Cancer Concern Association (CCA) wishes to discuss the importance of this day.
Cancer has become more known and our little nation has become more perceptive to what cancer is and what it means. This, unfortunately, is just a small win against the battle. To really be fighting the war is to share education and experience. CCA strongly advocates cancer awareness in early detection and prevention of cancer because these are the strongest shield that we have against this disease.
CCA is not alone, on this battle field are associations, organisations and individuals all across the globe fighting for a “cancer free” future. This is achieved through many ways but the World Cancer Day is the one day that is celebrated in unity each year, and is the most chosen platform for many to show their support. The aim of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment – areas of great importance and the core objectives of which CCA strives to achieve every day. With the celebration of World Cancer Day, wishes are to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer and it is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.
World Cancer Day targets misinformation, raises awareness, and reduces stigma. Multiple initiatives are run on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer.
World Cancer Day was established on February 4, 2000 at the World Cancer Summit against Cancer for the New Millennium, which was held in Paris.
The 2019-2021 campaign theme is ‘I Am and I Will’. The theme seeks to counter the negative attitude and fatalistic belief that nothing can be done about cancer, and instead promotes how our personal actions can be powerful and impactful.
In 2016, World Cancer Day started a three-year campaign under the tagline of ‘We can. I can’, which explored the power of collective and individual actions to reduce the impact of cancer. Prior to 2016, the campaign themes included ‘Not Beyond Us’ (2015) and ‘Debunk the Myths’ (2014).
Many of us have been touched by cancer. Talking openly about cancer and our experiences makes a huge difference in increasing understanding, overcoming stigma and reducing fear. Share your stories – with your friends, colleagues, neighbour and acquaintances. Let it be heard so that it can potentially help someone somewhere, whether to give them hope, courage or knowledge. Remember knowledge is power.
The year 2020 and the beginning of the year 2021 have not been within our favour to promote cancer awareness, and yet people are still suffering and losing their battle against the disease. This should not disrupt your learning on cancer, there are many educational materials available online to help you better understand and protect yourself from cancer. Our office, located at Espace, holds many pamphlets on various cancers and you are free to collect. Remember as our motto says, ‘You never have to be alone’; you can reach us through our Cancer Concern Association Facebook page, on our Helpline 2522 440 or via email: cancerconcern@outlook.com.
Amid all this talk about cancer, we need to remember a few things that cancer cannot do, cancer is so limited:
- It cannot cripple love
- It cannot shatter hope
- It cannot corrode faith
- It cannot destroy peace
- It cannot kill friendship
- It cannot supress memories
- It cannot silence courage
- It cannot invade the soul
- It cannot steal eternal life
- It cannot conquer the spirit
Let us today come together to remember all those suffering from cancer and those who have lost their battle.
Contributed by the Cancer Concern Association