World Cancer Day 2022

Cancer is a disease that occurs when some of the body’s cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably, and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer can begin practically anywhere in the trillions of cells that make up the human body. Human cells normally grow and multiply through a process known as cell division to form new cells as needed by the body. When cells become old or incur damage, they die, and new cells replace them. However, this orderly process can sometimes break down, resulting in aberrant, abnormal, or damaged cells growing and multiplying when they should not. These damaged and abnormal cells may form lumps of tissues called Tumors.

There are tumors that are very cancerous, and there are others that are not or benign. These benign tumors are those that stay in their primary location without invading other parts of the body. Benign tumors do not infiltrate or spread into neighboring tissues. When benign tumors are removed, they usually do not grow back; however, benign tumors might develop to be quite large. Some benign tumors can produce serious symptoms or even be fatal such as benign brain tumors.

On the other hand, cancerous tumors can infect neighboring tissues and spread to other parts of the body, resulting in the formation of new tumors — a process known as metastasis. These cancerous tumors may also be referred to as malignant tumors. Many cancers create solid tumors, but leukemia or the cancer of the blood do not.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, next to cardiovascular diseases, and approximately 10 million people die from it every year. In the Philippines, cancer affects 189 Filipinos out of 100,000, with four Filipinos dying of cancer every hour or 96 cancer patients every day, according to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health.

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) which is held every fourth of February. World Cancer Day, which began in the year 2000, has evolved into a positive movement that encourages people from all walks of life to come together as one to fight one of history's greatest challenges.

The World Cancer Day organization are working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are avoided and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all - regardless of who you are or where you live - by raising global awareness, improving education, and catalyzing personal, collective, and government action.

Hundreds of activities and events are held each year around the world, bringing together communities, organizations, and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks, community halls, and places of worship - on the streets and online - as a powerful reminder that everyone all has a role to play in reducing cancer's global impact.

World Cancer Day 2022

With the theme, “Close the Care Gap”, this year’s World Cancer Day is all about raising awareness about the equity gap that impacts practically everyone, in both high- and low-income nations, and is costing lives of people. Every single one has the ability to make a difference, whether big or small difference, and that together, real progress will be made in reducing the impact of cancer.

The World Cancer Day organization has created a three year campaign starting this year, 2022, to 2024. World Cancer Day is more than a day in the calendar, that is why the goal of the three year campaign is to inspire change and mobilize action long after the actual day itself. This multi-year campaign provides more opportunities for exposure and involvement, as well as more opportunities to raise global awareness and, ultimately, influence and impact.

For 2022, the first year of the 'Close the Care Gap' initiative is focused on recognizing and addressing cancer care inequalities around the world. It's all about keeping an open mind, questioning preconceptions, and examining the facts:

• Cancer care inequity costs lives.

• People seeking cancer treatment face obstacles at every turn.

• Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and lifestyle are just a few of the characteristics that might have a detrimental impact on cancer care.

• Everyone is affected by the gap, including you and your loved ones.

• These barriers can be changed and are not set in stone.

This is the year to challenge the existing quo and work to decrease stigma; to listen to the perspectives of cancer patients and their communities, and to let those lived experiences drive everyone’s thoughts and actions. That's how everyone can start to imagine a new way of doing things and a more equitable future — one in which people live healthier lives and have better access to health and cancer treatments regardless of where they are born, grown, their age, work, or live — condo living or not.

What Can You Do?

According to a clinical oncologist Dr. Lidia Schapira, offering assistance to the people with cancer and their spouses or partners, and asking how they are coping is one of the most important things to do. Another way is to reassure them that they should not worry alone and that someone is present to talk to and think through difficulties. Of course, if you are in the medical field, giving them expert advice or treatment can help.

Do not underestimate the importance of providing companionship. Allowing someone to communicate, even vent frustration or express sadness, may be extremely comforting. You can demonstrate your care by sending a card, making a phone call, bringing a meal, or giving them condo design ideas if ever they are in a condo living setup. Because each person is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to providing assistance and support. We can be that particular "go-to" person for a friend or coworker in many circumstances by volunteering to help solve difficulties, assisting them with time-consuming activities, or simply listening.

Everyone has the ability to help. Everyone can raise awareness about the necessity of early detection and screening for cancer. Campaigning for improved science instruction in schools and helping for the increase of research funding are the other things you can do. And if circumstances don’t permit you to do these, simply saying, "Tell me how I can help," to someone you know who has cancer today is considered helping.