The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has announced that World Cancer Day 2026 will be commemorated globally on February 4, with thousands of individuals, organisations and communities expected to participate in coordinated advocacy and education activities aimed at cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.
UICC, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said the 2026 commemoration will continue with the theme “United by Unique,” which highlights the need for cancer care approaches that recognise individual differences and address the specific medical, social and emotional needs of patients.
According to the organisation, the campaign will spotlight the experiences of people living with cancer, caregivers and health workers, with the goal of identifying gaps in care, informing policy responses and strengthening national and global health systems.
It added that stories are being collected from diverse regions to better understand how social and economic conditions influence access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and supportive services.
As part of activities leading up to the day, UICC announced a creative project titled “12 people. 12 cameras. 12 months,” supported by Fujifilm, which will document the daily lives of people affected by cancer.
The organisation said the project will capture emotional and social aspects of cancer care that are often overlooked, providing deeper insight into patient experiences, family challenges and the realities faced by caregivers.
UICC noted that the 2025 World Cancer Day campaign recorded more than 900 activities across 102 countries, with participation from over 60 national governments, alongside widespread traditional media coverage and significant global social media engagement.
World Cancer Day has been marked annually on February 4 since 2000, with the aim of raising awareness of cancer risks, promoting early detection and improving equitable access to effective treatment worldwide.
Founded in 1933, UICC is the world’s oldest international cancer organisation, with over 1,150 member organisations operating in more than 170 countries to advance global cancer control through research, advocacy and collaboration.