World Cancer Day Focuses on People, Not Just Disease
04 Feb 2026
This World Cancer Day, health experts are calling attention to the gaps in care caused by fragmented health systems and poor coordination – and highlighting the vital role of GPs.
The campaign, now in its 26th year on 4 February, aims to raise awareness, promote research, and push for better prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and care. The theme for 2025–27, ‘United by Unique’, focuses on treating people as individuals and looking after the whole person, not just their cancer.
However, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) says there are still big challenges. Fragmented systems, lack of care coordination, limited resources, cultural barriers, and not enough focus on prevention make it hard to deliver person-centred care.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the theme shows why everyone, no matter where they live or their background, should have access to timely, high-quality cancer care.
"Seeing the same GP regularly can improve cancer outcomes, but not everyone has the same access,” he said. “Rural communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and culturally diverse groups still face unfair barriers. Strengthening general practice is key to fixing this.”
Cancer rates are rising. In 2000, around 88,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer. By 2025, that number had jumped to 170,000. More young people in their 30s and 40s are being diagnosed, particularly with thyroid, breast, prostate, colorectal, and kidney cancers.
The RACGP is encouraging Australians to take part in national screening programs for breast, cervical, and bowel cancer, keep regular GP visits, and reduce preventable risks like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: RACGP / UICC
