World Cancer Day is sparking conversations and provoking deeper dialogue on the most critical issues in cancer all around the world.

Last year, World Cancer Day achieved more than 24,000 press mentions in 160 countries across print, online and broadcast. 

World Cancer Day is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). For more information and to access leading experts for your news story, please contact Eric Grant, Communications and Media Manager at grant@uicc.org.

 

2024 UICC World Cancer Day press kit

The World Cancer Day 2024 press release is available in 8 different languages. 

English, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Japanese.

For any press related questions or to be included on the World Cancer Day press mailing list, please contact Eric Grant at grant@uicc.org.

Background Factsheets

English:

General cancer facts

World Cancer Day

What is the care gap?

Alcohol and health

Tobacco and health

Ultra-processed foods and health

Cancer and Air pollution

 

Factsheets in other languages (zip files)

Français

Español

Português

Deutsch

العربية

中文

Русский

Cancer and Air pollution: English العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Select news coverage

2024

English

Recognising inequities in care is key to beating cancer – Tios (South Africa) – 7 February 2024

Rising Cancer Cases Worldwide: Urgent Call To Action – Health Management – 7 February 2024

Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services – Pharmacy Today – 7 February 2024

World Cancer Day: Survivors call on govt for more support – Business Ghana – 7 February 2024

Coalition for collaboration in fight against cancer – The Nation (Malawi) – 7 February 2024

PPB attributes price hike in cancer drugs to exit of pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria – Blueprint (Nigeria) – 6 February 2024

People-centred health services are essential to reducing disparities in cancer care (op-ed by Cary Adams, CEO of UICC) – Open Access Government – 6 February 2024  

‘Now health benefit packages under PMJAY have become more realistic for hospitals’ (interview with UICC Board Member, Dr CS Pramesh) – Indian Express – 6 January 2024

La humanidad contra el cáncer: una sola batalla con muy diferente “poder de fuego” – Animal Politico – 5 February 2024

On World Cancer Day, NationalWorld takes a look at the most common and most 'curable' cancers – NationalWorld (UK) – 5 February 2024

World Cancer Day: Survivor creates exhibition to empower others – BBC - 5 February 2024

Air pollution a factor in spiking cancer cases, report says – France24 – 4 February 2024

World Cancer Day 2024: How Can We Close The Care Gap In Nigeria? – Lagos Post – 4 February 2024

Cancer risk for under-75 in India 10.6%: UN agency – Times of India – 4 February 2024

Top cancer specialist explains why it’s time to rethink what stage 4 means – The Independent – 4 February 2024

Malaysia calls for more efforts to tackle rising cancer cases – Shanghai Sun/Xinhua – 4 February 2024

Rwanda steps up cancer screenings on World Cancer Day – Shanghai Sun/Xinhua – 4 February 2024

Hear my story on World Cancer Day – BBC 2 radio – 4 February 2024

World Cancer Day: 180,000 new cancer cases in Pakistan every year – The International News – 4 February 2024

New Canadian Cancer Society survey reveals the financial cost of cancer is one many in Canada cannot afford – Le Lézard – 4 February 2024

Message from the Minister of Health on World Cancer Day – Canadian government – 4 February 2024

WHO releases broad study for World Cancer Day - CBS News – 3 February 2024

Over 185,748 new cancer cases, 118,631 deaths reported in Pakistan in 2022 – Geo TV (Pakistan) – 3 February 2024

World Cancer Day 2024: Is cancer more prevalent in people under age 20? Doctors weigh in on new study – Dainik Jagran (India) – 3 February 2024

World Cancer Day 2024: Signs and symptoms of advanced-stage cervical cancer – Hindustan Times – 3 February 2024

World Cancer Day 2024 – St Kitts & Nevis Observer – 3 February 2024

World Cancer Day 2024: Check out date, theme, history, significance, key facts and more – Economic Times (India) – 3 February 2024

Global cancer cases will jump 77% by 2050, WHO report estimates – CNN – 2 February 2024

Progress on cancer survival in UK at slowest in 50 years, study finds – The Guardian – 2 February 2024

Recognizing February 4, 2024, as "World Cancer Day", and its theme "Close the Care Gap", to raise awareness about and launch efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic inequities and disparities in cancer care both in the United States and globally – US Congress House Resolution – 1 February 2024

WHO warns global cancer burden growing, with 77% spike in cases expected by 2050 – Anadolu Ajansi (Turkish news agency) – 1 February 2024

Cancer cases and deaths predicted to soar – The Independent (PA, UK) – 1 February 2024

Global cancer cases to rise by more than 75% by 2050, WHO predicts – The Guardian – 1 February 2024

WHO report shows breast, oral and cervical cancer accounted for 32 per cent of new cases in India – Indian Express – 1 February 2024

Cancer cases and deaths predicted to soar – Daily Mail – 1 February 2024

Global cancer rates are expected to rise 77% by 2050, the WHO warns. From aging to alcohol, here’s why – Fortune – 1 February 2024

World Cancer Day: UICC Offers Actionable Recommendations to Close the Care Gap – Cancer Health – 31 January 2024

Oncólogos españoles piden "más cribados" para garantizar que todos los pacientes de cáncer son atendidos – La Vanguardia (Spain) – 31 January 2024

World Cancer Day 2024 Equity Report: A Close Look at Cancer Care in Southeast Asia – BNN Breaking (Malaysia) – 31 January 2024

Organizaciones sociales promueven mejorar la atención de pacientes con cáncer – Norte en linea – 31 January 2024

 

Spanish

OMS advierte un aumento de 77% de cáncer para 2050; mortalidad podría duplicarse – El Tiempo – 4 February 2024 

La OMS advierte de un aumento del 77% en los casos de cáncer para 2050 en todo el mundo – La Prensa (Panama), La Nación (Argentina), El Pais (Costa Rica)  – 1 February 2024

Preocupación mundial: La OMS advierte que los casos de cáncer aumentarán en un 77% en los próximos años – Semana (Colombia) – 1 February 2024

La OMS calcula que en 2050 habrá 35 millones de nuevos casos de cáncer en el mundo, un 77% más respecto a 2022 – La Vangardia (Spain) – 1 February 2024

Este domingo es Día Mundial contra el Cáncer – El Universal – 4 February 2024

Ayuso destaca que la Comunidad alcanzó "récord de mamografías en 2023": más de 200.000 madrileñas, un 17% más – Ultima Hora – 4 February 2024

8 futbolistas que vencieron el cáncer: Cada 4 de febrero se celebra el Día Mundial contra el Cáncer – La Opinion (USA) – 4 February 2024

 

French

Journée mondiale contre le cancer : les chiffres-clés d'un fléau en expansion – France Bleu / France 3 – 4 February 2024

Ces nouveaux médicaments contre les cancers résistants – Le Point – 4 February 2024

Un sondage de la Société canadienne du cancer révèle l'ampleur du fardeau financier d'un diagnostic de cancer sur les Canadiens – Le Lézard – 4 February 2024 

Dimanche 4 février 2024: Journée mondiale contre le cancer – Fraternité Matin (Côte d'Ivoire) – 4 February 2024

Journée mondiale contre le cancer : un nouveau guide pour accompagner les patients – Le Quotidien (Luxembourg) – 4 February 2024

Journée mondiale contre le cancer – Europe 1 – 4 February 2024

Journée mondiale contre le cancer : une cause libanaise – Ici Beyrouth – 4 February 2024

 

Other

OMS indica por que casos de câncer devem crescer 77% até 2050 – MSN Brazil – 7 February 2024

قصة توثيق أول إصابة بسرطان الثدي في التاريخ.. سجلها المصريون القدماء (The story of documenting the first case of breast cancer in history... recorded by the ancient Egyptian) – El Watan – 5 February 2024

Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Καρκίνου: Να μειωθούν οι ανισότητες, να αυξηθεί η πρόληψη και η φροντίδα (World Cancer Day: Reduce inequalities, increase prevention and care) – CNN Greece – 4 February 2024

Всемирный день борьбы с раковыми заболеваниями (World Cancer Day – Russian cancer strategy) – RIA Novosti Russian news agency – 4 February 2024

響應世界癌症日「Close the care gap」支持「癌症新藥多元支持基金」成立 解決治療不平等困境 (Responding to World Cancer Day "Close the care gap" and supporting the establishment of the "New Cancer Drug Diversified Support Fund" to solve the dilemma of treatment inequality) – Yahoo Taiwan – 4 February 2024

 

2023

English

Time to tame Cancer – African News Agency/Daily Trust – 6 February 2023

World Cancer Day: Interview with Cary Adams – South Africa Broadcasting Corporation – 6 February 2023

Closing The Cancer Care Gap – Dr Soh Yih Harng & Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming – CodeBlue Galen Centre – 6 February 2023

Shunted system – breast cancer in the marginalised population of Borneo – Borneo Post – 4 February 2023

World Cancer Day: 'GPs should take young people seriously' – BBC News – 4 February 2023

Merck Foundation and African First Ladies marking World Cancer Day 2023 through 110 scholarships of Oncology Fellowships in 25 countries – African Business – 4 February 2023

Health Equity Report Card Pilot Project to Help Close the Cancer Care Gap – Cancer Health – 4 February 2023

First Lady Jill Biden Visits Health Clinic in Logan Heights, Crew of Navy Ship – Times of San Diego – 4 February 2023

Could COVID vaccine technology cure cancer? – Deutsche Welle – 4 February 2023

Public urged to lead healthy lifestyle in support of World Cancer Day 2023 – Department of Health, Hong Kong – 4 February 2023

Minister for Health highlights extensive advances in cancer prevention and treatment on World Cancer DayDepartment of Health, Ireland – 4 February 2023

World Cancer Day: Half of Cancer Deaths Can Be Prevented – MedScape – 4 February 2023

World Cancer Day 2023: All You Need To Know – NDTV – 4 February 2023

World Cancer Day to raise awareness on early detection, prevent discrimination – Deccan Chronicle – 4 February 2023

What is World Cancer Day and what is the theme for 2023? – Metro UK – 3 February 2023

World Cancer Day: How Minimally Invasive Treatments Can Be Leveraged To Reach Underserved Populations – Forbes – 3 February 2023

Incidence of cancer was higher among women in 2022 in Karnataka, with breast cancer contributing 29.5% – The Hindu – 3 February 2023

World Cancer Day: Why early detection and treatment can cure about one-third of all cancers – Indian Express – 3 February 2023

7 silent cancer symptoms everybody needs to know about – The Independent – 3 February 2023

From vaccines to AI: New weapons in the fight against cancer – AFP – 2 February 2023

World Cancer Day 2023: Top 4 deadliest cancers in India and their symptoms as per oncologists – Hindustan Times – 2 February 2023

French

Journée mondiale contre le cancer: parer aux inégalités pour un accès équitable aux soins – 2MA.ma – 5 February 2023

7 700 nouveaux cas de cancer enregistrés en Arménie chaque année – Nouvelles Arménie Magazine – 5 February 2023

Il y a de multiples progrès dans la prévention et le dépistage de cancer – France24 – 4 February 2023

Santé : la Ligue contre le cancer pointe du doigt les inégalités de prise en charge face au cancer, Les ambitions de l'UICC – Europe 1 – 4 February 2023

Maroc: Près De 50.000 Nouveaux Cas De Cancer Par An – African News Agency – 4 February 2023

Le dossier de la rédaction: Journée mondiale contre le cancer – RCF – 3 February 2023

Journée mondiale contre le cancer: pourquoi elle est importante – Le Mag/Voix du Nord – 1 February 2023

Spanish

El cáncer afecta a más personas entre los 30 y los 40 años. Esto es lo que debes saber – CNN Español – 5 February 2023

Prevención e investigación en cáncer para lograr una supervivencia del 70 % en 2030 – Diario Siglo XXI – 4 February 2023

Prevención e investigación en cáncer para lograr una supervivencia del 70 % en 2030 – EFE – 3 February 2023

Cáncer: las señales de alerta que mejoran la posibilidad de detección temprana y aumentan las opciones terapéuticas – La Nacion Argentina – 3 February 2023

Nofumadores.org calcula que ilegalizar el tabaco reducirá en un 30% el cáncer – EFE – 3 February 2023

Tumores cancerígenos causan el 8% de las muertes anuales en México – Publimetro – 3 February 2023

 

2022

English

Novartis committed to help close the gap in cancer care – Business Mirror – 16 February 2022

AlJazeera Interview on the occasion of #Worldcancerday2022 with HRH Princess Dina Mired, UICC Immediate Past President – Al Jazeera – 5 February 2022

Biden's Cancer Moonshot and how innovation and collaboration can close the cancer care gap – World Economic Forum – 3 February 2022

Closing care gap for cancer patients, a priority – Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka – 30 January 2022

French

Femme et cancer, justice et discrimination… Quand il y en a plus, il y en a encore – L'Economiste – 4 February 2022

Lutte contre le cancer : mettre plus d’humanité dans le parcours de soins – Le Monde – 1 February 2022 

Spanish

Dr. Huerta: El 90% o 95% de los casos de cáncer aparecen de forma esporádica – CNN Español – 4 February 2022

Buscan concientizar sobre el cáncer de próstata – La Salud – 1 February 2022

Presentan campaña mundial centrada en pacientes oncológicos – Norte en Línea – 27 January 2022

 

2021

English

World Cancer Day: COVID-19's devastating impact on delaying diagnosis and life-saving treatment – Euronews – 4 February 2021

World Cancer Day: New study into hard-to-treat cancers – BBC News – 4 February 2021

Makeup tutorials aim to give cancer patients a boost in pandemic – Reuters – 4 February 2021

 

French

Plan cancer : Emmanuel Macron vise une "génération sans tabac" pour ceux qui auront 20 ans en 2030 – FranceInfo – 4 February 2021

Grave impact du Covid sur le cancer – Le Courrier – 4 February 2021

Journée mondiale contre le cancer: la maladie touche 35'000 Suisses chaque année – RTS (Video) – 4 February 2021

 

Spanish 

‘Vivir con un cáncer infantil’: la primera app que acompaña a las familias a lo largo de toda la enfermedad – El Pais – 4 February 2021 

Hoy 4 de febrero se celebra el Día Mundial contra el Cáncer – La Vanguardia – 4 February 2021 

 

Past UICC World Cancer Day press releases

UICC World Cancer Day press release 2023: Commercial interests drive millions of avoidable cancer deaths

UICC calls on governments to prevent millions of cancer-related deaths due to tobacco use and the consumption of alcohol and ultra-processed foods, through increased taxation, restricted advertising, improved labelling and public education.

Download the press release: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Background Factsheets

General cancer facts: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

World Cancer Day: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

What is the cancer care gap? English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Alcohol and health: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Tobacco and health: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Ultra-processed foods and health: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

COVID-19 and cancer: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Antimicrobial resistance and cancer: English – العربية – 中文 – Deutsch – Español – Français – Português – Русский

Press release from World Cancer Day 2022

Tuesday 18 January 2022. Geneva, Switzerland.

UICC launches three-year campaign to create more equitable access to cancer services

On 4 February, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) will launch a new three-year campaign for World Cancer Day that brings together individuals, organisations and governments around the world in an effort  to create awareness and help close the gap in cancer care.

The campaign highlights the significant barriers related to socioeconomic factors, stigma and discrimination that prevent many people around the world from accessing life-saving preventive services, diagnostics, treatment and care. These barriers lead to wide discrepancies in the risks of developing and surviving cancer.

“By 2030, it is estimated that 75% of all premature deaths due to cancer will occur in low- and middle-income countries. Importantly, this care gap is not only between high- and low-resource settings. Disparities exist within most countries among different populations due to discrimination or assumptions that encompass age, cultural contexts, gender norms, sexual orientation, ethnicity, income, education levels and lifestyle issues. These factors potentially reduce a person’s chance of surviving cancer – and they can and must be addressed.”
– Prof. Anil d’Cruz, President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Director of Oncology at Apollo Hospitals, India

Access the full media advisory

Media advisories

Backgrounder and factsheet 

English

French

Spanish

Portuguese

Press and media resources for UICC members 

Global press release

 

Press release from World Cancer Day 2021

Adaptations and innovations in cancer care through COVID-19 and beyond

On World Cancer Day, UICC shines a light on the heroic responses to the pandemic by cancer organisations and individuals around the world struggling to maintain progress in cancer care.

Tuesday 19 January 2021. Geneva, Switzerland.

Marking World Cancer Day on 4th February, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) gives voice and says thank you to the nurses, doctors, researchers, volunteers, advocates and other caregivers in oncology from around the world, as well as government agencies, who have worked these past 12 months through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Cancer Day theme “I Am and I Will” encapsulates their extraordinary spirit and the strength of the cancer community. Their stories captured throughout the past year are being showcased on the occasion of World Cancer Day in testimonies and articles on a dedicated page of the official website. These stories highlight that while the pandemic is threatening the progress being made in the fight against cancer, it has also created the opportunity to address systemic weaknesses in many national health systems.

A survey conducted by UICC with over 100 of its member organisations in 55 countries, including civil society, hospitals, research centres and patient support groups, revealed that their income and organisational activities are under significant pressure, with almost three-quarters reporting reductions in income of anywhere from 25% to 100% in 2020 and similar projections for 2021. An analysis of the survey results were published this month in The Lancet Oncology.

Read more: English | French | Spanish | Brazilian Portuguese | German (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Chinese Mandarin (PDF)

Downloadable Press and media resources

Global Press Release in PDF

Backgrounder and factsheet 

Image Library

Access the image library here

Press release from World Cancer Day 2020

World Cancer Day 2020: International survey reveals unacceptable cancer awareness divide

Tuesday 4 February – Today’s World Cancer Day, led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), aims to mobilise urgent action from individuals, governments, and the global cancer community to close the clear and unacceptable gaps in cancer risk awareness between higher and lower socioeconomic groups and the subsequent impact on their health-promoting behaviours.

To mark the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day, UICC commissioned a global survey to form an up-to-date picture of the public’s experiences, views, and behaviours around cancer. Conducted by Ipsos, the survey includes more than 15,000 adults across 20 countries in the first multi-country public survey on cancer perceptions in a decade. The survey’s results, detailed in UICC’s report released today, International Public Opinion Survey on Cancer 2020: What people feel, think and believe about cancer today, indicate a clear divide between higher and lower socioeconomic groups when it comes to knowledge and awareness of cancer risks and, as a result, the practice of behaviours to limit such risk.

Read more: English | French | Spanish | Brazilian Portuguese

Press releases from World Cancer Day 2019

World Cancer Day 2019: Global cancer experts call for urgent action to improve early cancer detection

Monday 4 February – World Cancer Day 2019 highlights the need for urgent action to increase early stage cancer detection, screening, and diagnosis to significantly improve cancer patients’ chances of survival. Taking place under the theme of ‘I Am and I Will’, today’s World Cancer Day led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), aims to inspire and encourage action from individuals, the health community, and governments to improve public awareness and access to early detection, screening, and diagnosis.

Read more: English | French | Spanish | Brazilian Portuguese

 

Global Superstar Musicians Pledge Support On World Cancer Day | Press release

Monday 4 February 2019 – World Cancer Day: Leading musicians have come together for this World Cancer Day – a global awareness raising initiative by the Union for International Cancer Control - joining the global campaign to boost public health awareness and action against cancer. In a bold, emotional and inspiring video montage marking the day, artists including Grammy winner Alessia Cara and TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2018 honouree Shawn Mendes, as well as luminary will.i.am, Billboard’s Hot 100 chart topper Halsey, singer, songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter and Chinese-Canadian superstar Kris Wu share their support and commitment. Cancer survivors Taboo, rapper and member of Black Eyed Peas, and the visionary Nile Rodgers also participate alongside Puerto Rico’s record breaker Luis Fonsi, whose long-time friend and former publicist was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

World Cancer Day’s 2019-2021 campaign theme is ‘I Am and I Will’, an empowering call for personal commitment and action taken now to reduce the growing burden of cancer. Kicking off the first year of the new campaign, artists from around the world took the opportunity to show their support by committing to inspire action in their own lives and the lives of those around them. 

Read the full press release here (English)

UICC President, HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, makes official visit to Ghana on World Cancer Day | Press release

31 JANUARY, Kumasi, Ghana – On the occasion of World Cancer Day, a global initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, will make her first official visit to Africa as President of UICC from 2 – 6 February.

Read more (English) | Download the PDF (English) 

Press release from World Cancer Day 2018

On World Cancer Day, cancer leaders call for equal access to reduce premature cancer deaths by 25% 

Saturday 3 February 2018 – World Cancer Day: On Sunday 4 February, World Cancer Day raises awareness of the millions of people world-wide facing unequal access to cancer detection, treatment, and care services. With cancer leaders, health professionals and supporters across the world pushing for urgent action to reduce the rate of premature cancer deaths globally, the day calls for diagnostic and treatment access to be prioritised.   

Read more: English  | French | Spanish | Brazilian Portuguese 

 

Press release from World Cancer Day 2017

World Cancer Day: highlighting physical activity in the global fight against cancer

Worldwide cases of cancer predicted to reach 21.7 million by 2030

Saturday 4 February 2017 – World Cancer Day: Geneva, Switzerland - Today, on World Cancer Day, millions are urged to get active to help combat one of the world’s most deadly diseases. Under the banner ‘We can. I can.’ the day will encourage people to be more active - in every sense - in the fight against a disease that, in less than two decades, will directly affect up to 21.7 million1 people per year.

Read more: English | French | Spanish | German

 

Press release from World Cancer Day 2016

World Cancer Day 2016: millions to take action against the world’s most deadly disease

Thursday 4 February 2016 – World Cancer Day: Geneva, Switzerland – Cancer will kill more than eight million people worldwide this year, which is equivalent to the entire population of New York. Half of these will be people of working age (30-69 years old).

Read more: English | French | Spanish | German