The quote “Even a small action can make a difference” resonates deeply with the inspiration behind celebrating World Cancer Day.
Every year, on 4th February, the world observes World Cancer Day to raise awareness about this formidable disease. Cancer stands as one of the deadliest ailments globally, with the highest number of patients affected worldwide. This day serves as a crucial platform to educate and inform people about cancer, fostering a collective effort to combat and prevent its devastating impact on individuals and communities.
By recognizing World Cancer Day, the global community strives to create a world where the impact of cancer is minimized, leading to a significant decrease in the overall death rate from this formidable disease.
UICC to fight against Cancer
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) founded World Cancer Day. The first World Cancer Day was celebrated in Geneva, Switzerland, by UICC. At that time, 12.7 million people were affected by cancer, and 7
million people were dying from it.
The UICC was established in 1993, with its main headquarters in Geneva. This organization is known for spreading awareness regarding cancer. Its main purpose is to support the World Cancer Declaration, which was declared in 2008. 
World cancer day
World Cancer Day is celebrated to create awareness among people about cancer and lower the death rate due to cancer. Other than this, 4th February is dedicated to educating and raising awareness among people, helping them identify the symptoms of this deadliest disease. It also assists governments and non-governmental organizations in preparing to fight against this disease.
One of the main reasons to celebrate World Cancer Day is to dispel myths and promote factual knowledge about this deadly disease. To motivate people suffering from cancer, a global campaign was initiated with the hashtag
#NOHairSelfie. In this campaign, people around the world cut their hair and posted their pictures on social media. The main aim of this initiative is to encourage and uplift individuals who have lost their hair during the treatment of this disease.
On this day, globally, governmental and non-governmental organizations at different levels organize campaigns, seminars, and lectures to raise awareness about this disease. They aim to educate people about the symptoms, causes, and precautions related to this disease.
In India 7th November is celebrated as the National Cancer Day to make people aware about this disease.
Storm on social Media
The recent news of Poonam Pandey’s alleged death and the subsequent unfolding of events have created a storm on social media. The focal point of discussions has become cervical cancer, making it the talk of the day.
Model-actor Poonam Pandey’s staged death for a publicity stunt has sparked outrage among both celebrities and her fans. A day after her team released the news claiming she ‘died of cervical cancer at 32’, Poonam posted videos on Saturday revealing that she is, in fact, ‘alive’. Providing the rationale behind the false news, Poonam explained that she took this drastic step to raise awareness about cervical cancer.
While some may perceive this as a cheap publicity stunt, it undeniably succeeded in making cervical cancer a widely discussed topic on social media, prompting people to engage in conversations about it.
Indian Government initiative
In the interim budget passed on 1st February, the Government of India, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasized its commitment to addressing cervical cancer. The plans outlined include a
focus on cervical cancer vaccination, the establishment of new medical colleges, and the extension of Ayushman Bharat coverage to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers.
In her interim budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the government will promote vaccination for girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years to prevent cervical cancer. Presently, the vaccine is exclusively available in private hospitals, with a cost of up to ₹4,000 per dose.
