World Cancer Day 2023 demonstrates the power of collective action

The energy to make the needs of people living with cancer heard was already palpable in the days and weeks leading up to World Cancer Day. The campaign to "Close the care gap” to ensure that people everywhere can access the care they need, no matter who they are or where they live, was picked up across the globe.

Hundreds of thousands of engagements on social media and web visitors, over 25,000 press mentions, and hundreds of activities organised by individuals and institutions and posted to the World Cancer Day map of activities, made this World Cancer Day 2023 a resounding success.

As in the past, hundreds of non-governmental and international organisations, including WHO, as well as several governments – including Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, the UK and the US – took this occasion to raise awareness about cancer risks or make renewed commitments for investment in cancer control and more inclusive policies. WHO released a new Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework, providing a roadmap to save 2.5 million lives from breast cancer by 2040. The European Commission published Country Cancer Profiles, identifying strengths, challenges and specific areas of action for each of the 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway, to guide investment and interventions under the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. 

World Cancer Day also saw the launch or renewal of significant initiatives. For instance, “Working With Cancer” encourages companies around the world to foster a supportive environment and better manage the needs of their employees diagnosed with cancer. And the Merck Foundation along with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health provided 110 scholarships to African doctors from 25 countries. 

For its part, UICC published the World Cancer Day Equity Report, in which present and past members of the UICC Board of Directors write about the disparities in cancer care in their respective countries and regions and what is being done to close the care gap.

The World Cancer Day team at UICC checked in throughout the day on Instagram Live with members in different parts of the world, who were symbolically closing the care gap by organising a community “5k Challenge”. These included the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), Project Pink Blue in Nigeria, the Hope Foundation in Taiwan, Fundación Donde Quiero Estar in Argentina, former UICC President HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan and the Children Cancer Center Lebanon (CCCL). UICC staff also participated in a 5k Challenge event.

"Indeed, it is ultimately the extraordinary enthusiasm and efforts deployed by individuals around the world that makes World Cancer Day a successful and unique grassroots movement in favour of greater health for the millions affected by cancer – the second cause of death worldwide. While incredible progress is being made in cancer detection and treatment, the disparities between people in their ability to receive an appropriate level of care – due to ethnicity, age, income or education level, geographical location and other socioeconomic factors – are widening, and together we need to close the care gap"
– Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC 

Once again in 2023, World Cancer Day raised awareness about the many gaps that exist and what actions individuals can take to help close them. And for many members and supporters, World Cancer Day activities will continue throughout the rest of the month 

To everyone, everywhere, UICC would like to express its thanks and gratitude: UICC members and partners, health organisations, businesses, leaders, governments, young people and individuals from all walks of life.