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Feb 04
World Cancer Day 2022–2024: Close the Care Gap

By: Antoinette Stafford Cloete (Communications Manager)

https://www.hst.org.za/PublishingImages/World%20Cancer%20Day%202022%20LIVE%20Programme.jpg

This World Cancer Day, 4 February, foregrounds the power of knowledge and the power we each have to help create a cancer-free world. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.

What can we do about the gap in cancer care?

Half the world's population lacks access to the full range of essential health services. When it comes to cancer, many are denied basic care, despite the fact that we live in a time of advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

There is a call by the UICC to get involved because we can create change by informing ourselves on the various types of cancer, spreading the scientifically informed word and advocating for action.

What can we learn about closing the care gap this World Cancer Day?

The Close the Care Gap theme runs for three years starting in 2022 to 2024.

This three-year campaign is meant to create impact and to last for more than a day in terms of social mobilisation.

2022: Realising the problem

The first year of the 'Close the Care Gap' campaign is about understanding and recognising the inequities in cancer care globally. Some of these are:

  • Inequity in cancer care costs lives. 
  • People who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn. 
  • Income, education, location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care. 
  • The gap affects everyone, including you and your loved ones. 
  • These barriers are not set in stone. They can be changed.  

We, the people, can help reduce the stigma around cancer by introducing and sharing the perspectives of people living with cancer and loved ones affected by cancer. We can reimagine a future where people are able to have access to healthcare and services related to cancer irrespective of their circumstances.

2023: Uniting our voices and taking action 

Will celebrate real-world progress in its many forms in the fight for equity by mobilising communities to take grassroots action to assist those fighting cancers and their families with real-time, practical support.

 2024: Together, we challenge those in power

The last year of the campaign will be about engaging leaders to push for lasting change by committing to prioritising cancer, creating innovative strategies designed to confront inequity and investing resources to achieve a just and cancer-free world. 

To show your interest and commitment to closing the care gap when it comes to cancer join the World Cancer Day 2022 Live Stream. Streaming will take place on 4 February from 9 AM to 8:20 PM | GMT +1 (CET) To access the full programme and registration details go to: https://www.worldcancerday.org/live#programme

For more information on organisations and government agencies supporting the fight against cancer go to:

https://cansa.org.za/

https://choc.org.za/

https://www.nicd.ac.za/centres/national-cancer-registry/


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