Chances are that you know someone who has cancer.
Accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 alone, or nearly 1 in 6 deaths, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide.
These people are not just numbers—They’re our grandmothers and grandfathers, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers, children, neighbours, and friends. They are the people we love and care about.
This year on World Cancer Day, learn how you can become a part of the call for people-centred care and help advocate for the lives of not just your loved ones, but people all over the world battling cancer.
When is World Cancer Day?
World Cancer Day is on 4 February every year and is led by the Union for International Cancer Control, the largest and oldest international cancer organisation. This year, in 2025, World Cancer Day falls on a Tuesday.
World Cancer Day serves as an international awareness day designed to educate the general public about cancer, help provide resources and accessibility to treatment for all cancer patients, and unite the world in the fight against cancer.
Its mission aims to save millions of lives each year by raising awareness, providing education, and urging both individuals and governments all over the world to take action.
What are the origins of World Cancer Day?
World Cancer Day first came into fruition at the World Summit Against Cancer held in Paris, France on 4 March, 2000.
The Paris Charter created at the summit for the New Millennium, “aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness, and mobilise the global community to make progress against cancer.” Additionally, this charter included the adoption of World Cancer Day.
What is the World Cancer Day 2025 Theme?
The World Cancer Day theme for 2025 is “United by Unique.”
2025 is the first year of “United by Unique’s” three-year campaign running from 2025 to 2027.
What World Cancer Day’s Theme “United by Unique” Means
"United in our goals, unique in our needs." This powerful message embodies the spirit of World Cancer Day 2025.
It reminds us that while every cancer journey is unique—shaped by individual needs, perspectives, and stories—we are united in the shared mission to reduce the burden of cancer, achieve better treatments, and improve the quality of life for those affected.
This year’s campaign focuses on building a world where we see the person beyond the patient, placing people and communities at the heart of healthcare systems. By embracing people-centred care, we foster deeper connections—not just between healthcare providers and patients, but within entire communities.
Everyone has a role to play—patients, loved ones, caregivers, neighbors, practitioners, researchers, and advocates. Together, we can create a future where compassion and unity drive meaningful change in the fight against cancer.
The Three-Year Journey to People-Centred Care—United by Unique
2025: Your Story Will be Heard
The "United by Unique" campaign kicks off by inviting individuals from all walks of life to share their personal cancer stories. Just as people-centred care focuses on seeing the person behind the disease, this campaign shines a light on real experiences and diverse perspectives.
Whether you're living with cancer, a family member, carer, medical professional, advocate, or ally, your story matters. Each journey highlights unique challenges and shows how people-centred care can meet individual needs.
By bringing these voices together, the campaign creates a powerful collection of stories that reflect the meaning of "United by Unique"—Every person is one of a kind, but no one is alone in the fight against cancer.
This year, the focus is on honouring every unique experience, fostering community, and inspiring collective action to make a lasting impact.
2026: Your Story Will Change Minds
Building on the progress of 2025, the 2026 "United by Unique" campaign will transform personal cancer stories into powerful advocacy tools.
With a rich tapestry of unique perspectives on people-centred care already shared, the focus now shifts to driving real change by influencing policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public.
By showcasing real-life experiences and outcomes, the campaign aims to reshape how cancer care is approached—pushing for national health plans and strategies that prioritise the holistic needs of those living with cancer.
This phase is all about uniting individual voices into a collective call for more compassionate, inclusive, and effective care, ensuring that people remain at the heart of the fight against cancer.
2027: Your Story Will Drive Action
In its final year, the "United by Unique" campaign focuses on making its impact sustainable. The goal for 2027 is to solidify the progress made by forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones, embedding people-centred care into health systems worldwide.
By collaborating with patient groups, healthcare institutions, and advocacy organisations, the campaign aims to build a strong support network that guarantees ongoing access to high-quality, personalised cancer care.
This year celebrates collective action in all forms—Whether it’s grassroots advocacy at the local level or creating lasting connections between organisations. Together, these efforts will ensure that people-centred care becomes the new standard and remains a priority for generations to come.
What Can You Do to Help the Cause?
From volunteering to having open conversations about the profoundly positive impact of personalized cancer care, anything that encourages society “to talk, hear, read, and learn about cancer” helps in spreading awareness.
To learn more ways that you can get involved in the push for people-centred cancer care, click here.
