On February 2nd,World Cancer Day 2013 in China was hosted by China Anti-Cancer Association(CACA), and jointly undertaken by Cancer Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Committee, China (CRPC), a branch of CACA, and Cancer Center of Wuhan Tongji Hospital , a Health Ministry’s hospital gaining a high reputation in China. The opening ceremony and social show were full of spring festival atmosphere. Besides, a summit seminar and some academic speeches also dazzled in the ceremony. The theme of World Cancer Day was “Cancer, did you know?”, aiming at clearing people’s misunderstanding of cancer. More than 100 medical staff and more than 300 cancer survivors took part in the activities of World Cancer Day.

The opening ceremony came firstly. It was hosted by Professor Ying Wang, Secretary of CACA. Many famous oncological experts and government officers gave speeches in the opening ceremony, including Academician Shishan Hao, President of China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA),Professor Wei Wang, Vice President of Tongji Hospital, Doctor Michael O’Leary, Delegator of WHO, Mr. Yu Zhang, Deputy Director of Hubei Provincial Department of Health, Mr. Liangyou Wu, Chief of Department of Health and Academician Peigeng Li, Headmaster of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Experts and officers announced the theme and details of World Cancer Day, emphasized the four myths, explained the status of caner mortality, morbidity and difficulties in dealing with cancer, and encouraged medical staff and experts fight against cancer. Some booklet and fact sheets were delivered to patients.

The most important festival for Chinese people-- spring festival is on February 9th, 2013, soon after World Cancer Day. In order to present the cancer patients’ desire and capability for a better quality life, and their enjoyment far away from cancer pain, a social show titled as “Painless Spring Festival” was held immediately after the opening ceremony. All of the actors were medical staff and cancer patients, mainly from “Songs of Life” art troupe, a famous cancer patients’ art troupe in China. The show focused on the scientific propaganda about caner myths and facts. Some cancer patients performed shows to share their experiences and confidence fighting against cancer. Other highlights of the social show included poetry recitation by oncological experts, and a song and dance together by medical staff and cancer survivors.

Some experts and media staff were invited for summit seminar about cancer prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment. The topic discussed in the seminar included: 1 public heath policy; 2 three grade prevention strategy against cancer; 3 the scientific propaganda; 4 patients’ life quality. After the seminar, a press conference was held for further communication. More than 10 media took part in the press conference, and actively interviewed the experts. The experts emphasized the important role of healthy life style in cancer prevention and treatment, especially for smoking cessation and regular physical examination.

The Opening Ceremony

Seminar and Press Conference