World Cancer Day, 4th February 2026: United by Unique
Every year on 4th of February, world cancer day is observed throughout the globe. This initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)/World Health Organisation (WHO) is to raise awareness, promote prevention, and encourage early detection and treatment of cancer. This day serves as a reminder of the growing impact of cancer worldwide and the urgent need for collective actions. By uniting efforts globally, World Cancer Day emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in reducing the burden of cancer. Whether through spreading awareness, supporting those affected, or advocating for improved medical care, every action counts.
Cancer is a challenging opponent, very unpredictable and at times very harsh. It does not differentiate between age, sex, nations, colours, castes, religions or geographies, it involves all. But there is always a silver lining, while we may not have complete control over it, we are far from powerless. In the last 2-3 decades Medicine has made extraordinary progress in cancer care. Cancer treatment has evolved dramatically in all spheres be it diagnostic facilities to detect and diagnose cancer or treatment modalities in Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology or Surgery. Cure rates for many types of cancer’s have improved but the rise in incidence and cancer related deaths pose a significant challenge to most of the developing world. Kashmir is not an exception. There is significant rise in cancer cases across the UT of Jammu & Kashmir from last 15 years. Our priority should be prevention, early detection and treatment.
The age old saying that prevention is better than cure applies greatly in cancer prevention and control. Cancer can be greatly curtailed through reduction in various modifiable risk factors like smoking, alcohol, fast foods, sedentary life style etc. Almost 50% of cancers can be prevented if the risk factors attributed in cancer causation are eliminated. One can avoid risk factors like smoking in any form, avoid alcohol consumption, adopt healthy and well-balanced diet, have regular exercises and avoid sedentary life styles, take less red meat, get vaccinated against some infections causing cancer such as HPV and hepatitis B etc. Preventing cancer is not about eliminating risk altogether—it’s about stacking the odds in our favour, one conscious decision at a time.
Another important area in cancer cure is early diagnosis. The fundamental to this, is early recognition of warning symptoms of cancer like;
- Persistent cough and blood in sputum
- A mass or lump in breast in women
- Loss of appetite and difficulty in swallowing
- Unusual constipation and blood in stools
- Blood in urine
- Unusual lymph node enlargement,
- Weakness and low haemoglobin (anaemia),
- Bleeding per vagina especially in post menopausal women
- Unusual pain in any part of body especially back pain (can be Multiple myeloma-a type of cancer)
- Unusual fever which persist long (can be Lymphoma a type of cancer)
- Weight loss etc.
These symptoms and signs should never be ignored by the patient, his care givers or for that matter by a primary care physician who often are the 1st contacts. However alarm bells should not be sounded to cause panic unless the symptoms point to unusual nature. It is to emphasize in order to detect cancer early and increase the chances of long term cure. The crux is do not ignore! It is well established that in early stage cancers (like stage 1 and 2), the cure rates are maximum and can reach upto 90-98% and cost of treatment is also less. Compared to cancers in stage 3 with cure rates between 40-60% and none in most of stage 4 cancers. The cost of treatment goes higher as the stage goes up.
Lot has been done in cancer care but more and more needs to be done in future. The evolution of cancer treatment is nothing short of remarkable achievements in last more than 5 decades. The long road with many strides over the time saw the glimpse with the advent of Imitinib, an oral pill to treat CML a type of cancer in early 2000. The discovery of Imitinib by the renowned Medical Oncologist Dr.Brian Druker and biochemist Nicholas Lydon showed the path for precision medicine in oncology. Traditional approaches like chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been refined to minimize side effects while maximizing effectiveness. But perhaps the most exciting advancements have come from precision medicine and immunotherapy. Precision medicine tailors treatment to an individual’s genetic profile, leading to more effective and less toxic therapies. Immunotherapy, which empowers the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, has revolutionized treatment for cancers once considered untreatable. Targeted therapies, CAR-T cell therapy, and advancements in nanomedicine continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer care. Besides the active treatment, palliative care is also a crucial component in cancer care. The focus on improving quality of life for patients, managing symptoms, and providing holistic support has gained significant attention, ensuring that those battling cancer do so with dignity and comfort.
Beyond medicine and technology, the fight against cancer is also about human resilience and advocacy. Awareness campaigns have shattered taboos, encouraged conversations, and mobilized communities to take action. Patient support groups, survivorship programs, and mental health initiatives ensure that cancer patients and their families receive the emotional and psychological support they need. Governments and health organizations worldwide are prioritizing cancer care, funding research, and making life-saving treatments more accessible.
SKIMS in J&K is doing a commendable job and is at forefront in cancer care in last more than 4 decades. In last few years cancer care has become the focus of government and the current Director SKIMS & EOSG is putting lot of efforts to upgrade the services which is a continuous process. The cancer services need decentralisation. Government can start the integrated Oncology services in the newly established Medical Colleges where Medical Oncology needs to be established to augment the already existing Radiation Oncology and Surgery services . This will reduce the burden on SKIMS, which will focus more on high end care, teaching and research in cancer for regional and national needs.
We have come a long way but we are still farway! The relentless nature of cancer does not mean we are powerless. We have made extraordinary strides, transforming cancer from a death sentence to a manageable condition in many cases. But our journey is not over. We must keep pushing for advancements, supporting those affected, and spreading awareness. The truth is, every small action we take contributes to a larger movement toward prevention, early detection, better treatment, and ultimately, a future where cancer is no longer a terrifying reality. So, though we may not have been able to control cancer, we can take control of how we respond to it.
We can choose awareness over ignorance, action over inaction, and hope over fear. We can stand with those affected, invest in research, and push for policies that make prevention and treatment accessible to all. The fight against cancer is not an individual battle —it is a collective mission. Together, we can work towards a future where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.
Dr Mir Mohammad Hussain is Assistant Professor Medical Oncology, SKIMS
