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Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and accounted for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, reports the World Health Organization. Run by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), World Cancer Day takes place on 4 February and is determined to raise awareness for this group of diseases to increase knowledge of symptoms, steer more people towards prevention and support for cancer patients.
"It has become one of the most important and followed health awareness day in the year," says Nicole Engelbrecht, head of communications and marketing at the UICC. " Its key aim is to raise awareness about cancer risks, prevention, treatment and care, and to mobilise individuals and organisations to help reduce the burden of cancer."
World Cancer Day
For the next three years, from 2025-27, World Cancer Day is following a new theme. “‘United by Unique’ places people at the center of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation,” says UICC. “Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis – it’s a deeply personal matter. Behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story – stories of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more,” the organisation says. “That’s why a people-centered approach to cancer care, that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy, leads to the best health outcomes.”
The campaign will look at different ways to make a difference and avenues of people-centered cancer care. Over the next three years, World Cancer Day aims to provide a range of functions, from raising awareness to taking action.
One of the main objectives of the day is imploring people-centered care, which is treating the person, not the disease. “People living with cancer don’t always feel heard, seen or understood. They might feel alienated and voiceless at a time when they’re also learning to navigate an unfamiliar and confusing health system, not to mention dealing with the emotional highs and lows of cancer diagnosis, treatment or recovery,” says the organisation.
The theme "calls for a fundamental shift in cancer care and health systems worldwide towards people-centred cancer care", says Nicole. "This approach to care means delivering health and cancer services at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way, tailored to each individual's needs. It engages and empowers people to have a more active role in their own health." By shifting the emphasis onto the person rather than the disease, each individual can hope for a personalised treatment plan which takes their needs and concerns into consideration.
The other aspect of the theme refers to how "people touched by cancer are united in a shared ambition to see governments implement policies to imrpove cancer prevention, and deliver health systems that treat patients with cancer effectively and successfully, resulting in more people suriving their cancer and leading long and healthier lives".
Your role
Pharmacy teams, whilst not part of the healthcare force administering care to cancer patients, can still make a huge difference in creating this change in care. Teams can firstly make sure that they make efforts to raise awareness for various cancer campaigns throughout the year, and educate their customers on cancer red flags, attending health checks and living a balanced lifestyle less conducive to a cancer diagnosis.
"There are many actions people can take," says Nicole.
- Share a story: Many people have been affected by cancer, as a patient, family member, friend, or caregiver. Individuals from across the globe and all walks of life are encouraged to share their story on the World Cancer Day website
- Join the Upside-Down Challenge: Become apart of the social media challenge
- Create an event: For instance, an awareness campaign to educate customers about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options. Check out the World Cancer Day action toollkit and use posters and other branded materials made available on the World Cancer Day website to share key messages
- Social media engagement: Use social media platforms to share information about World Cancer Day, including facts, personal stories, and ways to get involved, and encourage others to do so also. A social media toolkit is available on the World Cancer Day website
- Health screenings: Offer free or discounted health screenings for common cancers such as breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer
- Educational workshops: Host workshops and seminars on cancer-related topics, such as the importance of regular screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, and understanding treatment options.
It’s Time to Talk
Time to Talk Day highlights another set of illnesses which affect one in four people in any given year – mental illness. By encouraging conversation around mental health, Time to Talk Day on 6 February shows how simply reaching out to a friend can save a life.
Run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in partnership with Co-op, Time to Talk Day is the UK’s biggest mental health conversation. The day’s objective is simple: to get talking about mental health, in a way that makes people feel comfortable and natural. See Me and Scottish Action for Mental Health, Inspire and Time to Change Wales are also involved in delivering the campaign across the UK, so that people living across the nation have touchpoints close to them to contact.
Social media is one of the most powerful ways to get people thinking and talking about mental health. If your pharmacy has a social media account, you can use the prompts and ideas available on the Time to Talk website to start the conversation. The page also has tips on how to share a personal story with your community, how to get your employers on board, suggestions on how to talk to young people and more. If you want to start a conversation, but are not sure how to discuss mental health, mind.org.uk has a page full of advice on how to listen well, approach asking questions, and how to respond to guide you. From putting up posters to hosting a ‘lunch and learn’ in your team, there are many ways to get involved and get talking
6 February.
Find campaign assets free to download at: timetotalkday.co.uk.