World Cancer Day, established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000, is observed every year on February 4th. Over 10 million people die each year from cancer, more than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. This makes cancer a leading cause of death with a global impact; cancer is not specific to any one geographic region or any one demographic. Cancer can affect anyone of any age, but we are moving towards extraordinary medical breakthroughs in the fight against cancer...

1. World Cancer Day
By: Madison Wheeler
World Cancer Day, established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000, is
observed every year on February 4th. Over 10 million people die each year from cancer, more
than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.1 This makes cancer a leading cause of
death with a global impact; cancer is not specific to any one geographic region or any one
demographic. Cancer can affect anyone of any age, but we are moving towards extraordinary
medical breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.
Breakthrough technology like proton/photon therapy, coupled with advances in surgical
interventions and chemotherapy, are leading the charge in global cancer treatment. These
treatments are allowing people to live longer with a higher quality of life. Despite this, access to
early detection healthcare continues to be an obstacle. The UICC estimates that more thanone-
third of cancer cases can be prevented, and another third are curable if detected early. The UICC
states that prevention and early detection strategies could save up to 3.7 million lives annually.2
Many nations are tackling cancer head-on, in the United States the FDA Oncology Center of
Excellence was established with the mission to “…create a unified and collaborative scientific
environment to advance the development and regulation of oncology products for patients with
cancer.”3 This center created the Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) program, led by
some of the world’s leading names in Oncology, to actively improve the way cancer-specific drug
treatments were developed, regulated, and distributed to patients. The PFDD’s key focus areas
are engaging with patients, promoting research on patient experience, and improving regulatory
policy by leveraging science-based recommendations.4
The effects cancer has on patients and their families can not be overstated. EMMA International
has worked hand-in-hand with several organizations across the life-science industry to ensure
their ground-breaking cancer treatment products were compliant with all applicable quality and
regulatory requirements. Through this, we have also had the privilege of being a part of a global
community of healthcare providers working every day to cure and prevent cancer.
EMMA International is available 24/7 to support your quality and regulatory needs. Contact us
at 248-987-4497 or email info@emmainternational.com to get in touch with our team of experts
today.
1 CDC (Feb 2021) Cancer Resource Center retrieved on 02/02/21 from: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/index.htm
2 UICC (Feb 2021) Why Cancer? Retrieved on 02/02/21 from: https://www.worldcancerday.org/why-cancer
3 FDA (n.d.) Oncology Center of Excellenceretrieved on 02/02/21 from: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-
organization/oncology-center-excellence
4 FDA (Nov 2020) Patient-Focused Drug Development retrieved on 02/02/21 from: https://www.fda.gov/about-
fda/oncology-center-excellence/patient-focused-drug-development