On February 4, 2026, World Cancer Day will once again be celebrated under the international motto "United by Unique". The motto illustrates what is just as true for people with cancer as it is for modern cancer medicine: every patient is unique - and so is every tumor disease.
At the same time, World Cancer Day is a reminder that cancer can not only be treated, but in many cases also prevented or detected early. The most important message on the occasion of World Cancer Day is aimed at all of us, even if we feel healthy: We have more power to influence our cancer risk than we think.
Knowledge is the best prevention
In Switzerland, more than 45,000 people are newly diagnosed with cancer every year. Current estimates assume that around a third of cancers could be avoided with preventive measures.
It’s not about perfection, but about setting the right course in everyday life:
- Stay active: Regular exercise significantly reduces the risk
- Lung health: Do not smoke
- Conscious enjoyment: a healthy diet and moderate alcohol consumption make all the difference
- Sun protection: your skin doesn’t forget anything – protect it consistently
- Protection through vaccination: Vaccinations against HPV or hepatitis B are simple but effective protective shields
“It’s not pleasant to deal with cancer if you’re not affected yourself. That’s why it’s important that healthy people also think about prevention and screening and take responsibility for their own health.”
Early detection: recognizing cancer in good time
However, if a tumor does develop, time is of the essence. Screening examinations make it possible to detect cancers or their precursors before symptoms appear. If detected early, cancer can often be cured or treated much more effectively.
Proven screening services are available for various types of cancer – including examinations for breast, bowel, skin, cervical, prostate and lung cancer. Studies show that such programs can prevent deaths, for example from colon or breast cancer. A brochure from the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ) on cancer prevention is aimed at anyone who wants to find out more about how to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
United by Unique - Precision oncology at the CCCZ
Every cancer is as individual as the person it affects. Precision oncology at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ) takes this uniqueness into account by analyzing tumors in detail using innovative molecular methods.
