The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is proud to introduce the global World Cancer Day campaign for 2025-2027, ‘United by Unique,’ urging a fundamental transformation in cancer care and healthcare systems worldwide. The campaign calls for a shift towards people-centred care, ensuring that treatment and support are tailored to the unique needs of each individual. World Cancer Day is observed annually on 4 February.
In 2022 alone, an estimated 20 million new cancer cases were recorded, with 9.7 million lives lost to the disease. With 1 in 5 people developing cancer in their lifetime, no two experiences are the same. Cancer is not a single disease but a collection of over 200 types, each requiring specific treatments. Additionally, factors such as socioeconomic background, personal values, and individual preferences shape every patient’s journey.
To address these unique needs, people-centred care shifts the focus from disease-based treatment to holistic, personalized healthcare. This approach ensures that cancer services are provided at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way, while actively engaging individuals and communities in their own health decisions.
By advocating for this transformation, the ‘United by Unique’ campaign aims to create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system, empowering people to take charge of their cancer journey and ensuring better outcomes for all.
“By placing individuals and communities at the centre of decisions, health systems become more effective and cancer care more compassionate, leading to higher survival rates, and improved quality of life. Every person touched by cancer is unique in their experiences and requirements. The cancer community is united in its determination to see improvements in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and care for everyone.”
– Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of UICC, Secretary General of the Swedish Cancer Society
People-centred care includes initiatives such as community health programmes tailored to local health issues, cultural competence training for healthcare providers, health literacy initiatives, telemedicine services, patient navigation programmes, and the engagement of people who have experienced cancer to shape policies.
This approach leads to improved patient well-being, and higher quality care and increased trust in healthcare providers. It boosts satisfaction among patients and families, while improving health equity and the overall effectiveness of healthcare systems.
The aim in the first year of the three-year campaign is to highlight barriers and gaps in health systems as well as existing best practice delivering people-centred care.
Witness accounts can be found on the World Cancer Day website such as the story of Kristin from Norway who felt overwhelmed and vulnerable after being diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma, encountering different doctors at each visit. Or that of Sukhanti from India who noticed a lack of structured support systems for caregivers when his wife Soma was diagnosed with cancer at age 41 and was given six months to live.
“By understanding and integrating the needs and preferences of individuals and communities into healthcare delivery, health systems will provide more equitable access to care, in low- as well as high-income settings. It is important that people living with cancer feel seen, heard, and empowered.”
– Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC
UICC’s new three-year World Cancer Day campaign #UnitedbyUnique recognises that every experience with cancer is unique, and everyone has unique needs, unique perspectives, and a unique story to tell; yet, people touched by cancer are united in a shared ambition to see governments implement policies to improve cancer prevention, and deliver health systems that treat people with cancer effectively and successfully, resulting in more people surviving their cancer and leading long and healthier lives.
The campaign is designed to support individuals everywhere affected by cancer as well as UICC’s members, partners and organisations working to improve cancer policies across the globe.
