World Cancer Day is something that I'm very glad exists. Of course it helps to raise money to fund research and provide specialist care. However, it also starts a conversation.
Many people feel uncomfortable talking about Cancer. Think about for one second how many other names are given to Cancer to avoid saying the word. "The C-Word", "The dreaded C" and many others. Cancer as a word strikes fear into the heart of many, quite understandably, but what if we just named it "Weird cell disease". Suddenly it's not as frightening. We need to change how we talk about a disease that will affect around half of us over a lifetime.
We should also acknowledge the improvements which have been made, particularly over the last 50 years. Today, 1 in 2 people will survive their Cancer for at least 10 years. In 1970, only 1 in 4 did. However, the fact that anybody dies of this dreadful disease shows that our work is not yet complete.
Cancer Research UK are running a campaign to raise money around World Cancer Day by selling Unity Bands, so pick one up from your local Cancer Research UK shop, or you can buy one here.
You can also donate £3 by texting WECAN to 70200
We stand united.
Well said Tash. We do need to discuss this more freely, and help in the fight to find solutions. It will touch every single one of us, directly or indirectly.
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