World Cancer Day 2025 marks the beginning of a transformative three-year campaign under the theme "United by Unique." This theme emphasizes the importance of people-centered cancer care, ensuring that each patient's unique experiences, values, and needs are at the heart of treatment and support. By shifting the focus from merely treating the disease to holistic care, "United by Unique" seeks to create an inclusive, equitable healthcare system where every individual feels heard and valued.

What is People-Centered Cancer Care?

People-centered cancer care is an approach that treats patients as individuals rather than just focusing on their diagnosis. This model integrates the patient's personal priorities, social connections, and overall well-being into treatment plans. It combines elements of person- and patient-centered care to ensure that:

• Patients actively participate in their treatment decisions.

• Healthcare systems provide equitable access to quality care.

• Families and communities play a vital role in supporting patients.

By addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of cancer care, this approach aims to improve the quality of life for both patients and survivors.

The Importance of Holistic Care in Cancer Treatment

Recent advancements in oncology research highlight the growing focus on survivorship and quality of life. The discussions at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2024 reinforced this shift. Key takeaways from these conferences include:

• The integration of palliative care early in treatment improves overall patient outcomes.

• Telehealth vs. in-person consultations showed similar effectiveness in managing advanced lung cancer.

• Addressing secondary symptoms, such as cachexia, and understanding patient perspectives improve overall care experiences.

Oncologists emphasize that cancer care should not only focus on what patients are being saved from but also on what they are being saved for. This perspective reinforces the essence of "United by Unique" by prioritizing life beyond cancer.

Innovative Research and Patient Advocacy

New research presented at ESMO 2024 underlines the significance of patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life considerations:

• Pictograms for outpatient cancer patients to improve telehealth communication.

• Quality of life in early breast cancer patients explored through a multi-center study.

• QoL assessments in mesenchymal tumor-related clinical trials to enhance treatment evaluations.

• Patient-centric approaches in metastatic breast cancer trials to ensure holistic care.

These studies underscore the growing emphasis on patient advocacy and the necessity of incorporating individual experiences into oncology care.

Building an Inclusive and Equitable Healthcare System

The vision of "United by Unique" extends beyond individual treatment plans. It aims to reshape global healthcare systems to serve all populations equitably. Ensuring access to high-quality cancer care for underserved communities and integrating cultural, social, and economic factors into treatment decisions are key objectives of this movement.

World Cancer Day 2025 is not just a call for awareness but a movement towards a patient-centered future in oncology. "United by Unique" redefines Cancer Care by embracing the individuality of every patient, ensuring their voices shape healthcare systems, and fostering a world where no one faces cancer alone.

Join the movement this World Cancer Day and stand together in the fight against cancer—because we are stronger when we are united by our uniqueness.