| World Cancer Day | |
|---|---|
 World Cancer Day 2017 Initiative by Project Pink Blue | |
| Also called | WCD |
| Observances | Awareness of cancer and its prevention |
| Begins | 4 February |
| Ends | 5 February |
| Date | 4 February |
| Next time | 4 February 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Cancer Disease |
World Cancer Day is an international day marked on 4 February to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008. The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer[1] and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.[2] The day is observed by the United Nations.[3]
World Cancer Day targets misinformation,[4] raises awareness, and reduces stigma.[5] Multiple initiatives are run on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer. One of these movements are #NoHairSelfie, a global movement to have "hairticipants" shave their heads either physically or virtually to show a symbol of courage for those undergoing cancer treatment.[6] Images of participants are then shared all over social media. Hundreds of events around the world also take place.[7]
- ^ "World Cancer Day 2013 One-Pager (English)". UICC. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "World Cancer Day". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ Nations, United (6 January 2015). "International Days". United Nations.
- ^ Szabo, Liz (3 February 2013). "World Cancer Day targets myths, spreads message". USA Today. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Gander, Kashmira (4 February 2016). "World Cancer Day: Why is the disease still a taboo?". The Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Wheeler, Brad (27 January 2016). "Three international productions, including Scotland's The James Plays, to headline Luminato 2016". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "WCD | We Can. I Can". www.worldcancerday.org. Retrieved 9 September 2018.