Millions of humans all over the globe observe today the World Cancer Day which takes place annually on February 4.

This campaign, which started in 2000, aims to promote research to cure and prevent this fierce disease, improve treatment and raise awareness. This year’s event, as well as those for 2017 and 2018, all share the same theme: “We can. I can.”

World Cancer Day wants to continue shrinking the burden of cancer, according to its website. In keeping with its theme, organizers have suggested certain goals. Collectively, they said “we can” inspire action, create healthy environments, build a quality workforce and shape policy change.

Meanwhile, they suggested “I can” understand that early detection saves lives, support others, return to work and make healthy lifestyle choices.

Cancer will kill more than eight million people worldwide this year, which is equivalent to the entire population of New York. Half of these will be people of working age (30-69 years old).

‘We can’: Today, the world’s leading international cancer NGO, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), urges corporations to focus their business on products and services that improve public health.

Moreover, UICC is asking governments to urgently reaffirm their commitment to the following cost-effective cancer ‘essentials’ package that save lives:

• Implementation of vaccination programmes which prevent infections that cause cervical and liver cancer
• Scale up of access to early detection and screening programmes for cervical, breast and bowel cancers and follow-on treatment.
• Improved tobacco taxation, regulation and control
• As well, as pain relief and palliative care services for all cancer patients.