History of World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day was established in 2005 by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO). Its main goal is to inform the public about cancer prevention methods, early detection, and treatment, as well as to break myths and misconceptions about the disease.
Since 2008, World Cancer Day has been dedicated to a specific theme related to oncology. Previous themes have included issues like nutrition, vaccination, ultraviolet radiation, and others. The theme for 2025–2027 is "Together for a Unique Cause", which emphasizes the need to provide medical assistance considering not only the physiological but also the psychological aspects of patients.
How Cancer Develops and Progresses
Cancer refers to more than a hundred oncological diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, which can affect any part of the body and spread to other tissues. It all begins with mutations in the DNA of a cell, leading to uncontrolled growth and the formation of a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not metastasize and do not spread to neighboring tissues, while malignant tumors can spread rapidly.
The most common types of cancer include carcinoma (lung, breast, skin cancer), sarcoma (connective tissue tumors), leukemia (blood disorders), lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), and glioma (brain and spinal cord tumors).
Risk Factors for Cancer Development
The main risk factors include:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition).
- Viral infections (such as HPV, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B and C).
- Prolonged exposure to carcinogens (chemicals, radiation, and environmental pollution).
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer
Early detection of cancer significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Modern diagnostic methods include biopsy, blood tests, CT, MRI, PET-CT, and others. Treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and new innovative approaches.
On this World Cancer Day, we encourage everyone to pay attention to their health, undergo regular check-ups, and seek medical help if there are any concerns about cancer. Stay healthy and take care of yourself!
