February 4 is World Cancer Day, and 2026 is the second year of the new “United by Unique” campaign, which focuses on a people-centered approach to cancer care. Cancer touches millions of lives in countless ways but it doesn’t define who we are.
Organized by UICC (Union for International Cancer Control) since 2000, this global initiative has become one of the most significant health awareness days worldwide to raise awareness and improve knowledge about cancer risks, prevention, detection, and treatment. As the UICC states, “We are more than a disease, more than a statistic. The World Cancer Day campaign 2025-27 “United by Unique” places people at the center of care and explores new ways of making a difference. It offers a three-year journey from raising awareness to taking action.”
Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis—it’s a deeply personal matter. Behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story – stories of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more. That’s why a people-centred approach to cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy, leads to the best health outcomes.
This “United by Unique” approach represents a fundamental shift in how health and cancer services are designed and delivered, placing individuals, families, and communities at the heart of health systems. It means not focusing just on treating the disease, but adopting the perspectives and experiences of individuals, carers, families and communities as participants in, and beneficiaries of, trusted health systems that respond to their needs and preferences in holistic ways.
Cary Adams, CEO of UICC says, “On 4 February, we will come together once again to mark World Cancer Day – a day of unity, action, and hope. The World Cancer Day theme ‘United by Unique’ places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation. Every individual facing cancer has a unique story, a unique experience – and yet, we’re all united by our shared commitment to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient.”
Last year, World Cancer Day saw over 900 events and activities taking place across more than 102 countries and territories, from grassroots initiatives to large-scale awareness campaigns. The campaign made waves online, with six billion impressions and nine million interactions across different platforms, including dedicated posts by influential figures such as Kate Middleton and King Charles from the British Royal Family, Australian singer Kylie Minogue, FC Barcelona, and the Nobel Prize institution. There were over 30,000 press mentions in 162 countries, putting cancer and people-centered care in the global spotlight.
Every experience with cancer is unique and it will take all of us, united, to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient. This World Cancer Day, let’s come together to rewrite the future of cancer care – one where the needs of people and communities come first.
Get involved in any way you can. Because together, we can create change. Together, we are #UnitedByUnique.
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