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World Cancer Day was born on the 4 February 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. The Paris Charter aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness and mobilise the global community to make progress against cancer, and includes the adoption of World Cancer Day. Since 2000, the initiative has;
- Over 24,000 press articles in 160 countries
- 980 events in 105 countries
- 327k+ social media mentions
World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation dedicated to taking the lead in convening, capacity building and advocacy initiatives that unite the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda.
The organisation believes that access to life-saving cancer diagnosis, treatment and care should be equitable for all – no matter where you live, what your income, your ethnicity or gender. They also state that governments must be accountable and national leadership on policies, legislations, investment and innovation is key to accelerated progress. The UICC believe that every action matters, whether it is small or big, and that by working together it is possible to create lasting change.
To raise awareness of eye cancer on World Cancer Day, the OCCS would like to the importance of regular eye examinations and health check ups. Indeed, there are not always obvious symptoms for eye cancer and it is most likely to be picked up during a routine eye test.
The possible symptoms of eye cancer include:
- bulging of one eye
- complete or partial loss of sight
- pain in or around the eye (rare with eye cancer)
- a pale raised lump on the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva or cornea)
- blurred vision
- change in the appearance of the eye
- lump on the eyelids or around the eye
- seeing spots or flashes of light or wiggly lines in front of your eyes
- blinkered vision (loss of peripheral vision) – you can see what is straight ahead clearly, but not what is at the sides
- a dark spot on the coloured part of the eye (the iris) that is getting bigger
- eye irritation, red eye or chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis)
- Pain is quite rare unless the cancer has spread to the outside of the eye or caused the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) to become too high.
Remember that cancer of the eye is rare. Eye conditions that aren’t eye cancer can cause many of these symptoms. It is important that you report any of them to your GP or optometrist.
An optometrist can identify conditions and diseases that affect the eye including eye cancers. They will then refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for specialist treatment.
The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it. This makes it more likely for the treatment to be successful.
Risk factors for primary melanoma of the eye can include:
- Light eye colour. People with blue eyes or green eyes have a greater risk of melanoma of the eye.
- Being white. White people have a greater risk of eye melanoma than do people of other races.
- The risk of eye melanoma increases with age.
- Certain inherited skin disorders. A condition called dysplastic nevus syndrome, which causes abnormal moles, may increase your risk of developing melanoma on your skin and in your eye.
We do not yet know what causes most eye cancers, so it is not yet possible to prevent them.
We know there is a link between sunlight and melanomas of the skin, and there are things you can do that might reduce your risk of these cancers, including limiting your exposure to intense sunlight, covering up with protective hats and clothing, and using sunscreen.
To find out more about how you can assist the UICC on World Cancer Day visit: https://www.worldcancerday.org/
