Turning awareness into lifesaving action

Every year on 15 February, countries around the world mark International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) — a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about cancers affecting children and adolescents. In 2026, the theme “Demonstrating impact: From challenge to change” places the spotlight firmly on moving beyond words and turning commitments into concrete improvements in care.

Childhood cancer is rare compared with adult cancers, yet its impact is devastating. An estimated 400,000 children and teenagers worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year. The most common types include leukaemia, lymphoma and brain tumours. While medical advances have transformed survival in many high-income countries—where more than 80% of children now survive—outcomes remain far poorer in lower-income regions. In some places, survival drops below 30% due to late diagnosis, shortages of medicines and limited specialist services.

Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers cannot be prevented through lifestyle changes alone. However, experts emphasise that early detection can dramatically improve outcomes. Parents and carers are encouraged to pay attention to warning signs such as persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, unusual swelling, constant fatigue, prolonged bone pain, frequent bruising or a white reflection in a child’s eye in photographs. Seeking medical advice early can make a critical difference.

Prevention also involves reducing known risk factors. Routine hepatitis B vaccination helps prevent liver cancer later in life, while human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination protects against cervical and other HPV-related cancers. Improving air quality, limiting children’s exposure to harmful chemicals and ensuring safer environments are additional protective measures that benefit overall health.

Health systems themselves play a decisive role. Training frontline health workers to recognise symptoms quickly, establishing efficient referral pathways and ensuring consistent access to affordable cancer medicines are essential steps. Expanding specialised paediatric oncology units and providing psychosocial support for families are equally important, as treatment can be long, emotionally exhausting and financially overwhelming.

International cooperation has also become a key driver of progress. Global partnerships work to strengthen supply chains for essential medicines, improve cancer registries and share expertise across borders. Such efforts aim to ensure that children in lower-resource settings receive care that meets international standards.

Beyond hospitals and policymakers, communities have a part to play. Schools, local leaders and media outlets can help spread accurate information about childhood cancer, reduce stigma and encourage families to seek care promptly. Public awareness campaigns during ICCD often highlight stories of young survivors, offering hope while reinforcing the message that early treatment saves lives.

International Childhood Cancer Day 2026 is not simply about marking a date. It is about recognising that childhood cancer is a global health challenge — and that solutions already exist. With stronger health systems, better awareness and sustained political will, survival rates can continue to rise.

For families everywhere, the message is clear: action — from vaccination and early diagnosis to fair access to treatment — can change the course of a child’s life. And when action is inspired, hope becomes possible.