World Cancer Day 2023
World Cancer Day, observed each year on February 4, is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise worldwide awareness of cancer detection, prevention and treatment and catalyze personal, collective and government action aimed at reducing the global impact of cancer.
This year marks the second phase of the “Close the Gap” World Cancer Day campaign theme, which kicked off in 2022. The focus of this phase is to recognize the power of working together and “is all about celebrating progress in its many forms that enable more people to seek and receive the care they need and deserve.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) between 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable. World Cancer Day serves as a reminder to all of us to take steps every day to reduce our risk of cancer. Eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, using sunscreen and following through on doctor recommended cancer screenings are just some of the important things we can do to help prevent cancer.
As we commemorate World Cancer Day, we can also commit to supporting this initiative by talking to family and friends about the importance of cancer prevention, detection and treatment and becoming more educated about the causes and risk factors of different types of cancer.
For the packaging industry, this day highlights the significant need for accessible packaging. People fighting illnesses such as cancer often don’t have the strength to tear open a package or unscrew a jar lid. While products should be easy to open for people of all abilities, this is especially critical for helping people suffering from illnesses like cancer.
As we have mentioned in previous blog posts, the impetus for creating the EEASY Lid was a question raised by someone undergoing cancer treatments about why jar lids were so hard to open. That question launched CCT on an eight-year journey to develop the EEASY Lid and make jars easier to open.
While World Cancer Day is one important day on the calendar, people are fighting cancer every day. Packaging can and should be accessible to make the routine task of opening products easier for them and everyone. Brands need to step up to the plate to make this happen.
On World Cancer Day, and every day, it is important to recognize that we all have an important role to play in progressing toward a cancer-free world. For information and ideas on how you can help raise awareness and create change, visit https://www.worldcancerday.org/take-action.