World Cancer Day is on February 4, 2025. This is a day to remember all those and their loved ones who have been affected by cancer. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2022), cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and accounted for more that 10 million deaths or one in six deaths. Furthermore, according to WHO, the number of cancer cases is expected to jump by 77% by 2025, rising to more than 35 million in 2050 (Science Alert, 2024). For this reason, it is also a day to consider all those and their loved ones who will be affected by cancer in the future.
Even though scientists and clinicians are striving to find better methods of prevention, early detection, more effective treatment and proactive after care, and these can help, cancer and its effect is still very real.World Cancer Day is a day to remember all those who have given their lives to help those with cancer. Scientists and clinicians have spent decades categorising cancer, with associated grades and stages, and have developed appropriate treatments and combinations such as chemotherapies, hormonal therapies, immunotherapies, radiation therapies, nanotherapies and biomarker testing to make treatment more personal (Cancer Research UK, 2023; National Cancer Institute). Oncology nurses have also dedicated their lives to providing client-centred personalized care to return the dignity and self-respect back to individuals with cancer who have lost it due to cancer and its treatment. Then, there are those who provide ancillary care in addition to primary care, and includes physiotherapists, occupational therapies, speech therapists, psycho-oncologists, dieticians, pathologists, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and non-profit organisations (Psychology, 2024). Finally, World Cancer Day is to remember the person with cancer. Just as there are any different kinds of cancer and treatment, the way in which each person responds to these are different. This is due to each individual’s unique make-up including genes, metabolism, environment, emotional expression, support, financial situation, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and identity being different. Thus, February 4, 2025 is a day to remind us to be more aware of the individual needs of those with cancer and those who support them in those needs.
Accordingly, at Bloomhill we use the COSA Model of Survivorship Care to meet the individual’s unique physical, emotional, social, intellectual, occupational and spiritual needs (Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, 2016). Thus, World Cancer Day is a day to remember that someone with cancer is much more than the cancer they have. They are unique, individual and valuable, and it is a day to remind them of that.
References:
Cancer Research UK. (2023). Types of Cancer. Cancer Research UK, October 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/how-cancer-starts/types-of-cancer
National Cancer Institute. Types of cancer treatment. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types
Psychology. (2024). Ancillary care definition. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://psychology.tips/ancillary-care/#:~:text=Ancillary%20care%20refers%20to%20the%20additional%20medical%20services,primary%20medical%20treatment%20and%20enhance%20overall%20healthcare%20outcomes.
Science Alert. (2024). WHO warns cancer cases will jump 77% by 2025. Science Alert, February 02, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www.sciencealert.com/who-warns-cancer-cases-will-jump-77-by-2050-heres-why
World Health Organisation. (2022). Cancer. WHO, February 3, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer
Please contact our Nurses on 07 5445 5794 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
All information provided by Bloomhill is mainly based on research from the Qld Cancer Council and best practice guidelines. Our model of care utilizes the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) domains of wellness along with available clinical evidence. Always consult your care team regarding matters that affect your health. This is a guide intended for information only.
