World Cancer Day is held on 4 February. It’s led by the Union for International Cancer Control, which brings together cancer organisations from around the world.
The date is 4 February.
How to use the World Cancer Day Countdown#
- Choose what to count to. Stay on the next World Cancer Day, or look a year further ahead.
- The figures are worked out when the page loads and again when you change an option or return to the tab.
- Use the extras. World Cancer Day is on 4 February every year. Total hours, minutes and sleeps are listed underneath.
The Charter of Paris#
The date goes back to 4 February 2000, when the Charter of Paris against Cancer was signed at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium. The charter set out aims on research, prevention, patient services and awareness. World Cancer Day has been used since then to push for better prevention, earlier detection and fairer access to treatment.
What people can do#
Check screening guidelines for your age, and book the test if it’s due. Cut risks you can control, such as smoking, and follow vaccination advice, including HPV and hepatitis B. If you want to help, support a patient organisation or donate to a hospital fund. This page is for information only and can’t replace advice from a doctor.
When is World Cancer Day in the next few years?#
World Cancer Day is on 4 February every year.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 4 February | Thursday |
| 2028 | 4 February | Friday |
| 2029 | 4 February | Sunday |
| 2030 | 4 February | Monday |
| 2031 | 4 February | Tuesday |
The numbers, in perspective#
The WHO’s cancer agency estimated about 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths worldwide in 2022. Lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer are among the most common. The WHO says that between a third and a half of cancers could be prevented, mainly by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, keeping a healthy weight, staying active and vaccinating against infections such as HPV and hepatitis B.
Screening and vaccination#
Screening aims to catch cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Cervical screening, breast checks and bowel tests are available in many countries, and the age to start differs, so ask a doctor what applies to you. Nigeria began rolling out the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 to 14 in late 2023, which should cut cervical cancer in the long run. See a doctor early for any lump, a sore that does not heal, unexplained weight loss or bleeding that is not normal.
This page is general information and does not replace medical advice.
Supporting someone with cancer#
Ask what would help, then do something specific: cook a meal, drive them to an appointment, sit with them during treatment. Do not offer cures or tell stories about other people’s illness. If you are organising a day event, work back from Thu 4 February 2027, a Thursday in 2027, and start about six weeks earlier (Thu 24 December 2026).
Quick facts#
- Many cancers are treatable, and survival rates for some, such as early breast and testicular cancer, are high where care is available.
- Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening, but it remains a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in many African countries.
- Tobacco use causes around one in five cancer deaths worldwide.
- A cancer diagnosis often brings financial strain, and in many countries families pay for treatment out of pocket, so patient support funds matter.
Frequently asked questions#
4 February.
The Union for International Cancer Control, or UICC.
Some can. Many cancers are linked to tobacco, infection, alcohol, diet and inactivity, and screening can catch others early.
Yes, to a degree. Not smoking is the single biggest step. Limiting alcohol, staying active, keeping a healthy weight, eating plenty of vegetables and fruit, and protecting your skin from strong sun all lower risk. Vaccines against HPV and hepatitis B prevent the cancers those viruses cause. Nothing guarantees you will avoid cancer, so screening still matters.
The day’s campaign uses a bright, changing visual identity each year, and the UICC uses its own colours in its materials. There is no single colour code across cancer types: pink is linked with breast cancer, blue with prostate and colon cancers, and yellow with childhood cancers. Check what the charity or group you support is using.