As South Africa marks World Cancer Day on 4 February, the focus this year shifts from statistics to people, as the global campaign calls for a more human-centred response to cancer — one that recognises inequality, lived experience and the urgent need for systemic change.
Led by the Union for International Cancer Control, the 2025–2027 World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique”, urges governments, healthcare providers and communities to rethink how cancer care is delivered. The campaign highlights a simple but powerful truth: while every cancer journey is different, people affected by cancer are united in their demand for better prevention, earlier diagnosis and equitable access to care.
In South Africa, this call carries particular weight. Cancer is projected to double by 2030, with an estimated 220,000 new cases expected annually. Rising incidence rates, combined with population growth and ageing, are placing increasing strain on an already stretched healthcare system.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has aligned its World Cancer Day focus with the global campaign, emphasising the need to see the person before the patient. CANSA says that cancer outcomes in South Africa are shaped not only by the disease itself, but by socioeconomic conditions, access to screening, language barriers, geography and persistent health inequalities.
People-centred care, advocates argue, is critical to improving survival rates and quality of life. Rather than treating cancer purely as a medical condition, this approach involves patients and families in decision-making, supports mental and emotional well-being, and strengthens trust in healthcare providers.
CANSA CEO Elize Joubert has warned that without urgent intervention, the cancer burden will deepen inequality across the country. She notes that many patients still face delayed diagnoses, treatment interruptions and limited access to pain management and support services, particularly in under-resourced communities.
“Cancer is not one disease, and patients are not all the same,” Joubert has said. “A people-centred approach improves patient well-being, increases trust in healthcare systems and leads to better outcomes for individuals and communities.”
World Cancer Day also highlights the importance of community action. Across the country, organisations, volunteers and survivors continue to play a vital role in awareness, prevention and support, from screening initiatives to counselling and patient advocacy.
Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, with an estimated 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths recorded in 2022. Around one in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime, but each experience will be shaped by personal, social and economic circumstances.
As the “United by Unique” campaign enters its second year, the message is clear: improving cancer outcomes requires more than medical innovation. It demands health systems that listen, adapt and respond to the realities of people’s lives.
World Cancer Day serves as a reminder that while cancer journeys are deeply personal, the responsibility to act — through policy, investment and community support — is shared.
