---
title: World Cancer Day
slug: world-cancer-day-388e0
url: /detay/world-cancer-day-388e0
type: article
language: English
entity:
  primary: World Cancer Day
  type: article
  categories:
    - name: Health And Medicine
      slug: saglik-ve-tip
      url: /kategori/saglik-ve-tip
    - name: General Knowledge
      slug: genel-kultur
      url: /kategori/genel-kultur
    - name: History
      slug: tarih
      url: /kategori/tarih
  tags:
    - Screening Programs
    - Cancer Day
    - Social Awareness
    - Public health
author: Nursena Güller
created_at: 2025-10-25T12:20:19.122925+03:00
updated_at: 2025-11-24T08:43:13.380358+03:00
---

# World Cancer Day

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "World Cancer Day" -->

## KURE Information Cards

![KANSERGÜNÜ KART.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/10/25/XM2Lv0yYABp0Kdw19PG5ZQgdezYKTY2q.jpg)
*World Cancer Day*

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Purpose(s) | To reduce the number of preventable cancer deaths,To support long-term actions in the fight against cancer,To promote early detection and screening programs,To mobilize governments and individuals globally,To raise awareness about cancer |
| Date(s)(Text) | February 4 |
| Founded by | Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) |
| Basis of the Day | Article 10 of the Paris Charter Against Cancer |
| First Celebrated | 2005 |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "World Cancer Day" -->

## Article Content

**World Cancer Day** is an international awareness day observed annually **on February 4.** The day aims to raise global awareness about cancer, encouraging communities and governments to take preventive action. It also serves as a platform to plan ongoing initiatives and sustainable awareness efforts in subsequent periods.

### **History**

[World Cancer Day](/en/detay/dunya-kanser-gunu-6fde8/llms.txt) was first launched in 2005 by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Since then, February 4 has been traditionally observed each year through campaigns organized by the UICC and its partner organizations.

The choice of February 4 is based on the Paris Charter for the Fight Against Cancer, adopted at the World Cancer Summit in Paris on February 4, 2000. Article 10 of the charter recommends that February 4 be recognized annually as "World Cancer Day." This date was selected to foster global awareness in cancer prevention and has since been internationally accepted.[^1] 

### **Purpose**

The primary objectives of World Cancer Day are to raise awareness and provide education about cancer, encourage preventive actions among individuals and communities, support the implementation of cancer control policies, and promote sustainable actions beyond the awareness day. Activities are designed to extend beyond a single day, forming the foundation for long-term public health initiatives.

### **Themes**

World Cancer Day themes reflect the priorities of each period. The theme for 2025–2027 is “Unique Together,” emphasizing that each individual’s battle with cancer is personal, while collective experiences can generate a global impact.

### **Protection Against Risk Factors**

International organizations recommend avoiding certain behavioral and environmental factors to reduce cancer risk. Prominent risk factors include:

- Tobacco use (smoking and smokeless tobacco products)
- Overweight or obesity
- Low intake of fruits and vegetables
- Physical inactivity
- Alcohol consumption
- Sexually transmitted HPV infection
- Exposure to hepatitis and other carcinogenic infections
- Ionizing and ultraviolet radiation
- Urban air pollution
- Indoor smoke from solid fuels

Avoiding these risk factors is considered an effective preventive measure against cancer at academic, individual, and societal levels.

### **National Cancer Screening Program in Türkiye**

Since 2008, Türkiye has implemented the National Cancer Control Program, which integrates screening, registration, prevention, and treatment. Screening services are provided at primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities, with mobile screening units reaching rural and underserved populations.

- **Breast Cancer:** Clinical examination annually for women aged 40–69; mammography every two years.
- **Cervical Cancer:** HPV-DNA testing every five years for women aged 30–65.
- **Colorectal Cancer:** Fecal occult blood testing every two years and colonoscopy every ten years for individuals aged 50–70.

Individuals with positive or suspicious screening results are referred to designated secondary and tertiary facilities for further testing and treatment.

### **Awareness Activities and Public Information**

In Türkiye, awareness campaigns and informational activities are conducted across all 81 provinces to promote early detection and access to screening services. Citizens can access screening services through Cancer Early Diagnosis Screening and Education Center, District Health Directorates, Community Health Centers, Healthy Life Centers and Family Health Centers. Additionally, the Directorate of Cancer provides guidelines and tools online detailing which screenings are appropriate for specific age groups.

### **International Perspective**

Globally, efforts to raise [cancer awareness](/en/detay/cancer-disease-3f58b/llms.txt) are coordinated by international organizations. The UICC and the [World Health Organization](/en/detay/world-health-day-abc28/llms.txt) establish global standards for risk prevention and early detection, providing guidance to countries on program implementation.

[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_05jjTFZkI)
*World Cancer Day (IARC WHO)*

***Warning: The content in this entry is provided for general encyclopedic purposes only. It should not be used for diagnosing, treating, or providing medical guidance. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. The author and KÜRE Encyclopedia accept no responsibility for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information for diagnostic or treatment purposes.***

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "World Cancer Day" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Dünya Aferez Birliği Başkanı Prof. Dr. Altuntaş: Türkiye Kanser ve Kök Hücre Alanında Çok İyi." Anadolu Ajansı, October 19, 2018. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/saglik/dunya-aferez-birligi-baskani-prof-dr-altuntas-turkiye-kanser-ve-kok-hucre-alaninda-cok-iyi/1286508
2. Avec Fondation. "Charte de Paris Contre le Cancer." Avec Fondation. Accessed Accessed October 21, 2025. https://parischarteragainstcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/French-Charte-de-Paris-contre-le-cancer-Charter-of-Paris-against-cancer-Fondation-Avec-1.pdf
3. IARC WHO. "World Cancer Day 2025." YouTube, February 4, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y\_05jjTFZkI
4. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi Genel Müdürlüğü Kanser Dairesi Başkanlığı. "4 Şubat Dünya Kanser Günü." Halk Sağlığı Genel Müdürlüğü Kanser Diresi Başkanlığı. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberler-kanser/4-subat-duenya-kanser-guenue.html
5. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi Genel Müdürlüğü Kanser Dairesi Başkanlığı. "4 Şubat Dünya Kanser Günü." Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi Genel Müdürlüğü Kanser Dairesi Başkanlığı, February 5, 2024. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://sggm.saglik.gov.tr/TR-102177/4-subat-dunya-kanser-gunu.html
6. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi Genel Müdürlüğü. "4 Şubat Dünya Kanser Günü (2025)." Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi Genel Müdürlüğü, January 21, 2025. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://sggm.saglik.gov.tr/TR-106875/4-subat-dunya-kanser-gunu-2025.html
7. World Health Organization. "World Cancer Day 2024." World Health Organization. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://www.emro.who.int/media/news/world-cancer-day-2024.html

<!-- CONTEXT: Citations for "World Cancer Day" -->

## Citations

[^1]: Avec Fondation. "Charte de Paris Contre le Cancer." Avec Fondation. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://parischarteragainstcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/French-Charte-de-Paris-contre-le-cancer-Charter-of-Paris-against-cancer-Fondation-Avec-1.pdf