10 Dec, 2025
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10 Dec, 2025
This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Smitha C. Saldanha, Consultant - Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, K.R. Road, Bangalore.
For 2025, National Cancer Day will focus on prevention, detection, and support.
This is intended to strengthen society and individuals by providing information about prevention, the significance of timely identification, and the role of cancer care services in oncology.
National Cancer Awareness Day in India was first observed in 2014. The primary objective was to educate the country’s population about the importance of regular testing for timely detection, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and recognizing the initial signs of tumors so they can receive treatment early if necessary.
The initiative aligns with the vision of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the ex-Health Minister of India, who emphasized the observance of Cancer Awareness Day in India and affordable treatment accessible to everyone. His vision was to make Indians learn that they could reduce their cancer risk and detect it in time for possible remedies.
The basis of his campaign emphasized the need to mobilize funds and ensure that people across the country can easily receive medical treatment against cancer.
National Cancer Awareness Day observance is of paramount importance, as it brings the entire country together to foster a unified fight against cancer.
With cancer having a huge impact on our society, such important days are crucial for reducing stigma, promoting education, and encouraging preventive measures. This day is all about enlightening people about some overlooked aspects of cancer, such as lifestyle factors, environmental risks, and genetic predispositions, ensuring that knowledge and resources reach vulnerable communities.
Additionally, these observances are pivotal for fundraising, supporting patients, and advocating for research.
There is no official National Cancer Awareness Day logo.
Most cancer organizations use the cancer ribbon image, which is the internationally known symbol for cancer awareness.
Healthcare organizations across the country are using their own slogans that highlight the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, and timely treatment.
Many studies have found that about 70-80% of cancer cases in India are diagnosed in advanced stages, when the treatment outcomes are poor with not-so-great survival rates.
The root cause of this problem is the lack of awareness about cancer and its early detection, and the observance of National Cancer Awareness Day is one of the many ways to address this gap in awareness and action.
Regular screening and early detection are two of the most important ways to catch cancers in their early stages, when they are treated best.
More Effective Cancer Management: Early detection means that the disease is still localized or confined to the organ where it has formed. In this stage, it is easy to remove the cancer tissue and destroy the residual cells. Early detection allows for more effective and successful cancer treatment.
Reduced Need for Aggressive Treatments: Early-stage cancers are relatively easier to treat and manage, and they do not demand aggressive treatment regimens.
Higher Survival Rates and Better Quality of Life: Those who have early-stage cancers and receive timely treatment have far better survival rates when compared to those with advanced-stage cancers.
Reduced Healthcare Costs: Early-stage diagnosis and treatment cost less for patients when compared to cancer management in advanced stages.
Doctors recommend cancer screening tests after the age of 40. Cancer screening tests help in early detection, even before the symptoms start appearing. This allows for timely treatment and successful disease management.
The following are the commonly recommended cancer screening tests:
Breast Cancer Screening: Mammography is recommended for breast cancer screening to look for lumps in the breast. This test helps in breast cancer detection even before the symptoms become apparent.
Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap smears, colposcopies, VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid), and HPV-DNA tests are recommended for cervical cancer screening. These tests help in looking for abnormal cell changes in the cervix region.
Prostate Cancer Screening: The PSA test is recommended to look for the presence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein. High PSA levels indicate the possibility of prostate cancer.
Lung Cancer Screening: There is no standard screening protocol for lung cancer. However, low-dose CT scans are recommended for high-risk individuals.
Globocan 2022 reports suggest that about 20 million cancer cases are recorded every year, with 9.4 million deaths.
Cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum, prostate, and stomach have been identified as the top 5 common cancers.
India, on the other hand, records about 1.4 million cancer cases and 916,000 deaths, approximately.
Cancer puts a heavy burden on families both financially and emotionally; most patients cannot afford high-quality medical care.
The cancer awareness campaigns initiated on National Cancer Day are of paramount importance, as they raise awareness on preventing healthcare, undergoing health checkups for early treatment, and modern cancer treatment approaches, as well as the social support that cancer patients can seek.
Understanding preventive measures for cancer is crucial in reducing cancer risk. Some of the most effective ways to lower the chances of cancer include:
1. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Eating a mix of fruits, vegetables, and cereals can help lower the chances of getting cancer. It is also important to avoid junk food, sweeteners, and bad fats.
2. Avoiding Tobacco: Smoking causes many types of cancer, with lung cancer being the most common one. Avoiding tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke are very effective ways of cutting down the chances of getting cancer.
3. Regular Exercise: Engaging in exercise helps one with healthy weight management and improved immunity while also reducing their chances of getting cancer.
4. Limiting Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol is connected to various forms of cancer; therefore, one should drink moderately.
5. Early Screenings and Vaccinations: Regular checks for some types of cancer, like breast, cervix, and colon cancer, may identify abnormalities early. In addition, vaccines such as the HPV vaccine are important in preventing malignancies resulting from specific infections.
6. Minimizing Sun Exposure: Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing can be one of the effective preventive measures against skin cancers caused by prolonged UV exposure.
Support for National Cancer Day can take many forms, from participating in cancer awareness programs to spreading information online and within your community. Here’s how you can make a difference:
1. Organize or Attend Cancer Awareness Campaigns: A lot of communities host seminars, conferences, or activities that are centered around the prevention of cancer and education.
2. Volunteer with Cancer Support Organizations: Donating to nearby cancer charities or health groups is also something you can do on this National Cancer Awareness Day. You may also volunteer to spend time with cancer patients, which can boost their morale.
3. Share Information on Social Media: Digital platforms are great for promoting National Cancer Awareness Day, motivating people to engage and be updated.
4. Fundraise or Donate: Contributions are very helpful in financing cancer research, patient care, and cancer awareness campaigns. You can organize a fundraiser or contribute directly to anti-cancer organizations.
5. Advocate for Policy Changes: Advocate for policies that enhance the availability of affordable screenings, treatments, therapies, and cancer prevention plans.
6. Wear Cancer Awareness Colors: Pale blue and pink have been identified as National Cancer Day colors; wearing these colors can be one more way to show support and solidarity, encourage conversations, and spread awareness.
National Cancer Awareness Day reminds people that they can fight cancer effectively through education, timely detection and treatment, and adopting appropriate preventive measures. By joining hands in such activities and showing compassion to patients and their families, we can help our society fight cancer more effectively. The observance also strengthens the call for accessible healthcare, underscoring that every step taken today contributes to a healthier, cancer-free tomorrow.
HCG Cancer Centre, which is the leading hospital for cancer treatment in India, also observes National Cancer Awareness Day with meaningful campaigns and initiatives that raise awareness and change the way society sees cancer.
On National Cancer Awareness Day, let us think about what we can do individually or collectively to reduce the effects of cancer, increase strength, and promote optimism.
Dr. Smitha C. Saldanha
Consultant - Medical Oncology
MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology), ESMO-ECMO, Fellowship in BMT
Dr. Smitha C. Saldanha is an adept medical oncologist with a wealth of experience in hemato-oncology and bone marrow transplantation cases. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in treating a wide range of cancers, along with a special interest in treating pediatric tumors.
Dr. Smitha believes in an individualized treatment approach, wherein the treatment strategy is carefully devised to meet the individual health needs of each patient.
Appointment Link: Book an Appointment with Dr. Smitha C. Saldanha
