The World Cancer Day 2026 event was held at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore, bringing together healthcare professionals,administrators, and the public to strengthen collective action against cancer.

The event was honored by Dr.V.Sasi Mohan,I.P.S.,Deputy Inspector General of Police, Coimbatore Range,as the Chief Guest, who formally launched the Social Media Cancer Awareness Campaign and Free Prostate Cancer Screening Programme.The programme was presided over by Dr. Sundar Ramakrishnan,Managing Trustee, SNR Sons Charitable Trust.

In his welcome address, Dr.Guhan, Director and Medical Oncologist,SRIOR, said that World Cancer Day is observed every year on 4th February to unite people across the globe in the fight against cancer.He emphasized that the day focuses on raising awareness about the devastating global impact of cancer, encouraging prevention, promoting early detection,improving access to treatment, and reducing stigma—ultimately aiming to save lives and build a cancer-conscious society.

For the past 25 years, World Cancer Day has been commemorated with a dedicated theme. The 2026 theme,“United by Unique,” highlights the importance of people-centered cancer care and recognizes that every individual’s experience with cancer is unique.

In India, cancer incidence has been rising at an alarming rate. Around 10 lakh cases were reported in 2015, which has increased to 16 lakh cases in 2025. In Tamil Nadu, the Population-Based Cancer Registry reported 1,07,000 cancer cases in 2021. District-wise data shows Chennai ranking first, followed by Thiruvallur, Vellore, Kancheepuram, and Coimbatore in fifth place.

In Coimbatore, the most common cancers among men include oral cavity cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and prostate cancer. Among women, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer are the most prevalent.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), cancer screening levels in India remain critically low. Only 1.9% of the population has undergone cervical cancer screening, while 0.9% has been screened for breast cancer. In Tamil Nadu, cervical cancer screening stands at 4.8%, and breast cancer screening at 9.8%. These figures are far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 70–80% population coverage.

To address this gap and reinforce the message that early detection ensures cure, a comprehensive social media awareness campaign focusing on 14 types of cancers—including breast, oral, lung, cervical, ovarian, and blood cancers—was launched.

As part of World Cancer Day initiatives, SRIOR also announced Free Prostate Cancer Screening throughout the entire month of February, marking its 20th consecutive year of this sustained public health initiative.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Sundar Ramakrishnan, Managing Trustee, SNR Sons Charitable Trust said, that in today’s times, people spend a significant amount of time on social media. Recognising this, awareness initiatives will be carried out throughout the month using social media platforms. As part of this campaign, public awareness will be created about 14 different types of cancer, he said.

Dr.V.Sasi Mohan, I.P.S.,Deputy Inspector General of Police, Coimbatore Range, speaking at the event,expressed concern over the increasing spread of unnecessary and misleading information compared to positive news in today’s times. He said that cancer is often wrongly portrayed in society and in schools as an incurable disease, with blood cancer in particular receiving disproportionate attention.

Highlighting the importance of social media in the present era, he noted that while it enables information to reach people quickly, the content shared must be accurate and credible. He added that a higher incidence of disease in society reflects a lack of awareness, which must be addressed through sustained awareness initiatives.

Referring to the spread of misinformation about cancer, DIG Sasi Mohan said that social media–based awareness campaigns can play a key role in countering false narratives. He stressed that initiatives led by medical professionals enhance credibility and that supporting those unable to access cancer screening and treatment is a valuable service to society.

He further stated that timely awareness can help in early detection of cancer and significantly reduce its impact. Noting that over 40 per cent of cancers are curable, he emphasized the importance of healthy dietary habits, regular physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle. He concluded by congratulating Ramakrishna Hospital and the Cancer Research Centre for their initiative.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr.S.Bhargavi, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, SRIOR. Through these initiatives, SRIOR reiterates its commitment to cancer awareness, early detection, and accessible screening, aligning with the global mission of World Cancer Day to reduce the cancer burden and save lives.

The event was graced by S.Narendran, Joint Managing Trustee,C.V.Ramkumar, Chief Executive Officer;D.Maheshkumar, Chief Administrative Officer of SNR Sons Charitable Trust;and Dr.S.Rajagopal, Medical Director, along with Dr.S. Alagappan,Medical Superintendent of Sri Ramakrishna Hospital.