Did you know approximately 39.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes (National Cancer Institute)? 

World Cancer Day is held every 4 February and is a global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation dedicated to reducing the global cancer burden, promoting greater equity, and integrating cancer control into the world health and development agenda.

By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, World Cancer Day is working to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all — no matter who you are or where you live! 

You can take a closer look at the stories of those affected around the world and the medical developments below 👇

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Positive News Magazine, ‘Alive and Glittering’: Issue 104 Jan-Mar 2021

An image of CoppaFeel's founder, Kris Hallenga
CoppaFeel! founder, Kris Hallenga

“I want everyone to embrace their big-ness.” —  Kris Hallenga

Oliver Balch speaks to Kris Hallenga, the author of Glittering a Turd (published in August 2021) and CoppaFeel! founder, about her journey after being diagnosed with cancer at 23, wild swimming, simple pleasures and why it shouldn’t take a crisis for us to reach our potential 💪

Read the article, pages 26–31, here.

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Sainsbury’s Magazine, ‘Fundraising Changed my Life’: October 2006 issue

An image of Yvonne Brown on her bike who cycled to raise money for a cancer charity
Yvonne Brown

Kerry Fowler meets with four inspirational women — Yvonne Brown, Lisa Ward, Liz Norton and Jj Luck and who all gained by giving ♀

The article explores how all four women have contributed their fundraising efforts to Cancer charities by cycling, volunteering, taking part in sponsored head shaves, organising a breast cancer ball and running the London marathon.

Read the article, pages 36–41, here.

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The Biologist, ‘Viruses That Kill Cancer’: Spring 2021 issue

3D Illustration of oncolytic adenoviruses (light blue) destroying cancer tumour cells surrounding tissue
3D illustration of oncolytic adenoviruses (light blue) destroying tumour cells surrounding tissue

“Researchers are getting closer to producing oncolytic viruses that can selectively and safely infect and kill malignant cells.” —  Belen Vilanova. 

This exciting development has changed the meaning of viruses 🦠 for the better!

For many years the word virus has been associated with infections, disease and death. However, there are numerous viruses that either exhibit a natural preference for destroying cancer cells or can be genetically modified to target cancer cells selectively 🧬 🔬

Read the article, pages 12–15, here.

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The Progressive, ‘Bad Diagnosis’: March 2017 issue

Scales of Justice with FDA on one side and the cancer tests on the other with a finger weighing them down

“In some cases, due to false-positive tests, patients were told they have conditions they do not really have, causing unnecessary distress and resulting in unneeded treatment.”

Stephen Nash, a journalist based in Richmond, Virginia explores how after identifying problems with the tests, the FDA have taken a step back from imposing stricter regulations and what this means for members of different communities. 

Read the article, pages 34–37, here.

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Access to the digital magazine issues included in this post will be active until the 4th of April 2023. 

Fully-searchable digital subscriptions to Positive News Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, The Biologist and The Progressive are all available in the Exact Editions individual and institutional shops.