World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on February 4th, organized by the International Union Against Cancer. The purpose of this Day is to remind people of how dangerous and widespread cancer is today, and to draw attention to the prevention, early detection and treatment of this disease.
The new theme for World Cancer Day 2025-2027 has been announced: «"United by the unique"». Every cancer experience is unique, and it will take all of us coming together to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person, not the patient.
Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis – it is a deeply personal matter.
Behind every diagnosis is a unique human story – stories of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more. That’s why a person-centered approach to cancer care that fully addresses each person’s unique needs, condition and feelings leads to better health outcomes.
In 2025, 2,127 new cases of cancer were detected in Kharkiv (in 2024 - 2,311) (incidence rate 151.3% per 100 thousand population). Among the leading localizations of pathology were:
– breast cancer – 289 cases (incidence 20.6% per 100 thousand population);
– cancer of the trachea, bronchi, lungs – 157 cases (incidence 11.2% per 100 thousand population);
– colon and stomach cancer – 130 cases (incidence 9.2% per 100 thousand population);
– prostate cancer – 161 cases (incidence 11.4% per 100 thousand population);
– uterine cancer – 137 cases (incidence rate 9.7% per 100 thousand population);
– malignant neoplasms of the skin – 305 cases (incidence 21.7% per 100 thousand population); melanoma of the skin – 69 cases (incidence 4.9% per 100 thousand population);
– oncological diseases of other localization – 123 cases (incidence 8.7% per 100 thousand population).
Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumor cells in a multi-step process in which a precancerous lesion progresses to a malignant tumor. These changes occur as a result of the interaction between genetic factors (susceptibility) and three categories of external factors, which include:
- physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation;
- chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, tobacco smoke components, aflatoxins (as impurities in food products), arsenic (an impurity in drinking water), etc.;
- biological carcinogens, such as the herpes-like Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B and C viruses.
Cancer incidence increases dramatically with age, most likely due to the accumulation of risk factors for certain forms of cancer. The overall accumulation of risk factors is exacerbated by the tendency for cellular repair mechanisms to become less efficient as people age.
Most often, the clinical picture of most oncopathologies in the initial stages is uninformative. The signs will be blurred, implicit, until the tumor that has grown will disrupt the work of certain organs. Unfortunately, this happens in the later stages of oncopathology, when it is quite problematic to enter the process into a stable remission.
And yet, there are a number of symptoms that cannot be ignored:
– a cough that does not go away within a month, especially with sputum with bloody streaks;
– changes in the mammary glands, namely: breast lumps, changes in the shape of the breast or nipple, its asymmetry. Also, discharge from the nipple, formations on the skin of the mammary glands (ulcers, peeling) should alert;
– enlarged lymph nodes. Against the background of infectious processes, there is an increase and/or compaction of the lymph nodes. After a month, the structure returns to its original size. If the compaction persists, consult a doctor;
– changes in a mole, such as a rapid increase in its size, blurred edges, or a change in color, should be cause for concern and are a reason to see a dermatologist;
– urination disorders. In men, complaints of difficulty in free urination, blood impurities are sometimes caused by oncological pathology of the prostate gland, bladder;
– swallowing disorders are one of the first signs of esophageal cancer;
– pathological discharge, blood impurities in feces, urine, bleeding;
– unexplained weight loss, general weakness, decreased appetite, change in food preferences (aversion to certain foods), chills, unexplained increase in body temperature.
Quite often, the oncological process is recognized only in the terminal (late) stages, when only symptomatic treatment will be relevant. The medical community has developed special diagnostic programs - screening studies, which allow for timely detection of neoplasms. The earlier the pathology is detected, the greater the chances of a favorable prognosis of the disease.
Doctors recommend the following screening tests:
– mammographic screening for breast cancer in women;
– cytological screening for precancer and cervical cancer;
– screening for colon cancer and precancer using a fecal occult blood test;
– prostate cancer screening: prostate-specific antigen test.
Primary prevention of cancer should be aimed at identifying and eliminating or reducing the impact of adverse environmental factors. More than 30% cases of cancer can be prevented by eliminating or minimizing the main risk factors:
- tobacco and alcohol use;
- overweight or obesity;
- unhealthy diet with insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables;
- lack of physical activity;
- chronic infections caused, in particular, by hepatitis B and C viruses, some types of human papillomavirus;
- avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun and tanning beds.
In Kharkiv, specialized medical care for cancer is provided at the Regional Oncology Center, located at: Kharkiv, Lisoparkova St., 4, and the S.P. Grigoriev Institute of Medical Radiology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, located at: Kharkiv, Grigoriy Skovorody St., 82.