World Cancer Day: It's all about you and your commitment

Oman Wednesday 03/February/2021 22:19 PM
By: Times News Service
World Cancer Day:  It's all about you and your commitment

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. To raise awareness and reduce the global impact of cancer, every year on February 4, World Cancer Day is marked to reduce misconceptions about cancer and to help people in getting the right information about it. It also offers a chance to make an impact in the betterment of the life of cancer patients and survivors.This year's theme is 'I Am and I Will' which began in 2019.' It is a multi-year campaign and this year will mark the last year.

According to  the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), "It represents an empowering call-to-action urging personal commitment, and also represents the power of action taken now to have a positive impact on the future. It focuses on 'together, all our actions matter.'" World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer which originated at the first World Summit Against Cancer in 2000.

The main aim of the organisation is to take the lead in convening, capacity building and advocacy initiatives that unite the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda. "We believe that access to life-saving cancer diagnosis, treatment and care should be equal for all – no matter where you live, what your income, your ethnicity or gender. We believe that individuals, together, can create change," according to UICC.

Every year several events take place around the world to pass the strong message to all that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer. In Oman, the Oman Cancer Association (OCA) observes the World Cancer Day every year.  They highlight and work with all its sustainable projects which includes the mobile mammography unit, Dar Al Hanan - Home Away From Home - for the children with cancers, palliative care services, patients advocacy and specific awareness programmes.