World Cancer Day
February 4th 2017 is World Cancer Day – a global campaign to raise awareness, show support and unite to fight cancer.
In the UK there are roughly 356,860 new cases of cancer a year. 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
And while that number may feel high, advances in research, treatment and technology mean survival rates are better than ever.
Unite against cancer
This year the campaign encourages people to unite together to build a future where every patient survives cancer.
Thanks to fundraising efforts survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years. Within the next 20 years Cancer Research UK hopes to see 3 in 4 patients surviving cancer.
Through prevention and awareness, treatment, and community support we can help people and their families through every stage of cancer.
World Cancer Day is a chance to come together, raise money and show everyone living with cancer they are not fighting alone. Cancer Research UK is asking people to wear Unity Bands to show support – the proceeds of which go towards life saving research.
More cancer resources
If you want to learn more about cancer or are concerned about a certain type of cancer, there are great resources on the web to help answer your questions. If you have questions about recognising symptoms and reducing risk, NHS Choices and Cancer Research are both excellent places to go for general information.
For an in-depth guide to understanding cancer, Macmillan has a number of useful guides.
If you want information for coping with cancer, both as a patient and a carer, Macmillan and the National Cancer Institute both have helpful guides.
You can also read our guides on Silversurfers – we’ve written about supporting a loved one through cancer, websites for cancer information, as well as breast cancer awareness, prostate cancer awareness and more.
What are your experiences with cancer? Will you wear a Unity Band for World Cancer Day? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor

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