The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and its member organizations located in more than 80 countries are dedicating World Cancer Day 2006 to childhood cancer. Under the slogan, “My Child Matters,” World Cancer Day will take place on Saturday, Feburary 4^th. This year’s theme focuses on early detection and equal access to treatment, as well as celebrating the lives of all children around the world in the fight against childhood cancer.

The BC Cancer Agency, a member of UICC, is proud to support World Cancer Day, and to help raise awareness of the importance of early detection of cancer.

Childhood cancer is more than twice as curable as all adult cancers," says Isabel Mortara, UICC Executive Director. "To save thousands of children's lives each year it is vitally important that childhood cancer is detected early and that access to treatment is improved in developing countries," she says. "Currently only 20% of children with cancer living in developing countries receive the treatment they need."

For more information about World Cancer Day and Geneva-based UICC, please visit www.uicc.org or www.mychildmatters.org