World Cancer Day 2026 on Thursday February 4, is an opportunity to open lifesaving conversations around cancer.

“Most of us avoid thinking about cancer; it is simply too frightening. This fear stops us from asking our doctors about the routine screenings that could save our lives. We need to ask which screenings match our age and risk factors, especially if cancer runs in our families,” says specialised medication pharmacist Mmanoko Maduane of Medipost Pharmacy.

“As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and with today’s advanced early cancer detection methods and the move towards more personalised treatment options, there is less reason to fear screening for ‘the Big C’ than ever before,” she points out.

“Cancers found early are much more likely to be successfully treated, with some having near 99% five-year survival rates. Early detection often enables more conservative, less invasive treatments than the complex, systemic treatments that are needed for advanced cancer. This is why regular screening is especially valuable for minimising our risk of cancer and the potential for it to impact our lives, and those of our loved ones.”

Specialised medication pharmacist Shama Louwrens adds that screening is especially important for certain types of cancer, as some types can be detected before the person starts experiencing any symptoms: “Some recommended common cancer screenings, for example Pap smears or colonoscopies, are capable of identifying precancerous changes to cells, making prevention possible for certain types of cancer,” she explains.

“This World Cancer Day is an important reminder that awareness and taking responsibility for our cancer screenings can meaningfully improve outcomes and survival rates, providing more treatment options, as well as better quality of life if testing does identify cause for concern,” Louwrens says.

The theme for World Cancer Day is United by Unique, which reflects that cancer can affect anyone and that there are real people behind the statistics. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. People of all ages and walks of life are diagnosed each year. It is also important to remember that every cancer journey is unique, and this is integral to the individualised care we provide to our patients,” Maduane says.

Cancer treatments are becoming increasingly targeted, often offering more personalised oncology medications with fewer side effects than older generation cancer treatments.

Chemotherapy may be used for more aggressive or advanced cancers, while hormone therapy is particularly effective for cancers that are hormone receptor-positive. Some patients may also benefit from targeted therapies, which are designed for specific cancer subtypes. Additionally, specialised medications may be required for managing pain, reducing side effects and improving the person’s comfort.