What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease which occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead
to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumor; this is true of all cancers
except leukemia (cancer of the blood). If left untreated, tumors can grow and spread into the
surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic
systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems or release hormones that
may affect body function.
Understanding Cancer
The more we know about cancer, the more lives we can save.
Overview
Detecting cancer early can effectively reduce the mortality associated with cancer. In resource‐poor
settings, cancer is often diagnosed at a late‐stage of disease resulting in lower survival and potentially
greater morbidity and higher costs of treatment. Even in countries with strong health systems and
services, many cancer cases are diagnosed at a late‐stage. Addressing delays in cancer diagnosis and
inaccessible treatment is therefore critical in all settings for cancer control.
Early diagnosis strategies improve cancer outcomes by providing care at the earliest possible stage and
are therefore an important public health strategy in all settings. The barriers that delay cancer
diagnosis must first be identified and assessed, and these factors may originate from patients to carers
to health systems. Effective programmes can then be implemented at various levels that include
community engagement to address patient behaviour, improving diagnostic and referral capacity and
ensuring access to timely, high‐quality treatment.
What can you do for world cancer day?
We can work together to reduce cancer risk factors. We can overcome barriers to early diagnosis,
treatment and palliative care. We can work together to improve cancer control and
achieve global targets to reduce premature mortality from cancer.
Spread The Word!
#Cancer affects all of us. This #WorldCancerDay on 4 February, let’s come together and take
action for a cancer‐free world. #IAmAndIWill worldcancerday.org
Useful Links and Resources
https://www.worldcancerday.org/ (Official website)
https://www.worldcancerday.org/useful‐links‐resources
https://www.who.int/cancer/publications/cancer_early_diagnosis/en/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/what‐is‐cancer/how‐cancer‐starts/types‐of‐cancer