World Cancer Day 2026: Initial highlights from the latest campaign

World Cancer Day 2026 saw an impressive groundswell of awareness and fundraising events, calls to actions, stories from people affected by cancer, and government announcements, drawing attention to how cancer care can better reflect people’s needs, experiences, and circumstances.

Indeed, early indications show strong support of the second year of the United by Unique campaign on people-centred care. The day saw sustained activity across social platforms, websites, and community channels, with people living with cancer, survivors, caregivers, and health professionals sharing their experiences and reflections.

Many took part in the Upside Down Challenge to show how cancer disrupted their lives and illustrating why understanding lived experience matters when designing cancer services. This helped keep the focus on real situations faced by individuals and families, and on practical measures that support earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and appropriate supportive care.

The campaign website also received a substantial volume of personal testimonies, with some 1,000 stories by people affected by cancer, relatives, and supporters available on the website. These accounts cover a wide range of experiences and help keep attention on the realities faced by individuals and families.

UICC members were once again central to shaping and driving engagement, by sharing information on local initiatives, encouraging participation in World Cancer Day activities, and directing audiences to campaign materials and resources. Members also took part in interviews or provided commentary to their local media on a wide range of issues specific to their contexts, such as referral pathways, data use, screening access, or financial barriers faced by people affected by cancer. Others drew attention to the potential value of cultural understanding and community engagement when considering how services are designed and delivered.

Many individuals from member organisations and UICC Board Members also took part in a global, 24-hour digital telethon organised by OncoDaily in collaboration with UICC. The event mobilised attention across the globe and raised funds to strengthen cancer control across health systems.

A wide range of public figures and institutions also marked World Cancer Day through statements, appearances, or digital engagement. These included cultural figures, sports organisations, and international bodies, such as King Charles and Princess of Wales, Queen Letizia of Spain, US Congresswoman Dina Titus, the Nobel Prize, VillaReal, Spain’s female football division, Christian Horner, and Amy Dowden.

Governments and public authorities in Taiwan, Nigeria, France, Thailand, the Maldives, Australia, Germany, and the European Commission similarly chose this day to underline national priorities related to cancer.

UICC will continue gathering information from members in the coming weeks. A more complete overview of the impact of World Cancer Day will be provided in the annual World Cancer Day Impact Report.

Organisations are encouraged to keep adding events to the Map of Activities on www.worldcancerday.org , and share stories illustrating local realities.