The day, celebrated annually, seeks to promote awareness on cancer as a public health issue and to strengthen actions towards improving access to quality care, screening, early detection, treatment and palliative care.
World Cancer Day was established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000.
Since then, it has been observed annually on February 4, where various governments, health organisations and cancer survivors collaborate to make the Day a global success.
The primary goals are to raise awareness about the disease, dispel myths and misconceptions, encourage early detection, and advocate improved cancer care.
It also serves as a platform for acknowledging the courage and resilience of cancer patients and survivors worldwide.
“United by Unique” is the theme for World Cancer Day 2025-2027, highlighting the importance of personalised care and treatments to cater for each individual’s unique needs.
Cancer is a term for a group of diseases that cause abnormal cells to grow and spread uncontrollably.
Experts categorise the disease according to where they start in the body and the type of tissue they affect.
Research indicates that breast, cervix, haematopoietic organs, liver, stomach and colorectal cancers are the leading cancer deaths in females in Ghana.
The top cancer deaths in men are liver, prostate, haematopoietic organs, stomach, pancreas and bladder.
The leading causes of cancer deaths in children are malignancies of the haematopoietic system, followed by brain, kidney, eyes, liver and bone tumours.
Almost 734 000 individuals are diagnosed with cancer every year and in 2040 it is predicted that the number would be 50 per cent higher.
Symptoms of cancer vary from person to person and depend on the type of cancer one has and how advanced it is.
However, some general cancer symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, night sweats, persistent pain, skin changes, particularly moles that change shape and size or new moles, unexplained weight loss.
Cancer is a genetic disorder but that does not necessarily mean it is inherited. It happens when genes that manage cell activity mutate (change). They create abnormal cells that divide and multiply, eventually disrupting how the body works.
Experts advise at-risk individuals who have a family history of the disease to avoid smoking, radiation exposure, and malnutrition among other things to reduce their chances of getting it.
GNA
