World Cancer Day in 2024 marked a significant global effort to address inequities in cancer care. Organized annually on February 4 by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), this year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap,” entered its final year of a three-year campaign. The focus was on rallying individuals, organizations, and governments to address disparities that hinder access to essential cancer services due to various factors like age, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and geographical location.

Key activities for World Cancer Day 2024 included a global call to action for health ministers, urging them to implement specific measures to reduce common barriers to cancer care in their countries. The UICC also released the World Cancer Day Equity Report, providing actionable insights and local perspectives on inequities in cancer care from different regions including Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

Hundreds of events took place worldwide to support more equitable cancer care, and iconic landmarks were illuminated in the colors of World Cancer Day – orange and blue. The campaign also saw significant online engagement, with the #WorldCancerDay hashtag trending globally on Twitter, over 850 activities in more than 100 countries, and numerous press mentions and social media posts shared by prominent figures.

Mayo Clinic, in alignment with the UICC’s mission, emphasized their commitment to closing the cancer care gap. They stressed the importance of understanding the varied nature of cancer, improving access to screening, and using technology to make treatment more accessible and less disruptive. Mayo Clinic’s efforts included developing cancer screening techniques for broader international implementation and reaching out to underserved and rural communities facing cancer care barriers.

World Cancer Day 2024 served as a reminder of the ongoing fight against cancer and the critical need to ensure equitable access to cancer care for all individuals, regardless of their background or location.