World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4 and was established in 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. The initiative was led by the Union for International Cancer Control with a clear purpose: to unite the world in the fight against cancer through awareness, advocacy, and collective action. Since its inception, the day has grown into a truly global movement, bringing together governments, healthcare institutions, researchers, patients, and communities.
Why the World Needs Cancer Awareness
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting millions of lives every year. World Cancer Day exists to remind the global community that many cancers are preventable and that early detection, timely diagnosis, and equitable access to care can save lives. Beyond statistics, the day highlights the human stories behind the disease and reinforces the need to address disparities in cancer prevention and treatment across regions and populations.
From Awareness to Impact
Each year, World Cancer Day is guided by a unifying theme that emphasizes people-centered care and long-term commitment. The day serves not only as a moment of reflection but also as a catalyst for sustained action encouraging policy change, supporting research, and amplifying voices from across the oncology landscape. It underscores a shared responsibility: reducing the global cancer burden requires collaboration that extends far beyond a single day.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO):
“On World Cancer Day, we’re excited to introduce the inaugural cohort of the International Clinical Research Scholars (ICRS) Program in Asia Pacific!
Join us in celebrating their commitment to improving outcomes for patients across the region and beyond.
Meet the Scholars: https://bit.ly/4rnA15y ”
“The lived experiences of people facing cancer help shape our work across oncology and hematology. On hashtag#WorldCancerDay, we recognize the meaningful scientific progress driven by a sustained commitment to advancing research for patients.
As we stand hashtag#UnitedByUnique, we remain committed to advancing rigorous, patient-centered science and partnering with the oncology community to help shape the future of cancer care.
Hear directly from our colleagues around the world as they share their personal motivations that drive their commitment to advancing cancer care. Share your personal “why” below. https://bit.ly/3NYuPGV “
Hellenic Cancer Federation | ELLOK:
“This World Cancer Day, we are introducing the new European Code Against Cancer!
What if preventing cancer could start with simple, daily changes and smart policy action? That’s the idea behind the European Code Against Cancer, an initiative of the European Commission first launched in 1987 to help people across Europe make informed decisions that reduce the risk of cancer.
Now, a new and improved version is here. The fifth edition of the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC5) was developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), together with the European Commission and leading European scientists.
The Code includes 14 clear, science-based recommendations for individuals and policymakers. At Hellenic Cancer Federation | ELLOK, we’re proud to support this landmark initiative alongside the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), because prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer.
Yesterday, at the 10th_Annual_Conference of ELLOK on a day devoted to prevention, ECL President, Juha Pekka Turunen encouraged the audience to consult, promote and use the new European Code Against Cancer and enjoyed the interaction with academics, policy makers, healthcare professionals and patients.”
“World Cancer Day is a reminder that understanding cancer early can save lives.
Across Europe, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing, particularly among younger people and known risk factors do not fully explain this trend. DISCERN seeks to answer a fundamental question: why is this happening?
By combining health data from nearly 900,000 people across Europe with advanced science and artificial intelligence, DISCERN aims to support earlier detection, better risk assessment, and stronger prevention efforts.
At PCE, together with the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC), Digestive Cancers Europe and Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dr med. Jerzego Nofera we support research that enables early action because patients cannot wait.”
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC):
“We’re grateful to our World Cancer Day partner, Genmab, a biotech company, for helping make this work possible. Together, we’re amplifying voices and advancing people-centred care this World Cancer Day, 4 February 2026.”
Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation:
“How does early funding streamline cancer breakthroughs? This World Cancer Day, Conquer Cancer grant recipient Dr. Chemtai Mungo discusses how early-career research funding not only supports the next generation of scientists but also leads to improved cancer care across the globe. Read the blog: https://bit.ly/4r4eaRe ”
“Today is World Cancer Day, and we want to recognize and honor every life touched by cancer — the survivors who carry incredible strength, the caregivers who support endlessly, the healthcare providers who show up with compassion and care, and the advocates who work day in and day out to push for change. Today is an opportunity to unite, raise awareness, and take action in the fight against all cancers! It’s a reminder that prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care can truly save lives! At ALCSI, our mission is rooted in that belief. Through outreach, advocacy, and education across 135+ ALCSI chapters, we’re working to expand access to lung cancer screening and ensure more people are reached with screening resources. Learn how Lung Cancer Screening saves lives and check your eligibility here: https://alcsi.org/get-screened/united-states ”
“World Cancer Day We know ~40% of cancer cases can be prevented (new paper & more info here: https://iarc.who.int/news-events/four-in-ten-cancer-cases-could-be-prevented-globally/). The next important date for those interested in cancer prevention: 9 Feb- the end of Early Bird registration for IARC60 Reg here: https://iarc2026conf.iarc.who.int/en/registration/31 ”
World Cancer Day: A Global Call to Awareness and Action 2026, Part 1
World Cancer Day: A Global Call to Awareness and Action 2026, Part 2
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD