Today, on World Cancer Day, Daily Development speaks to Cary Adams, Chief Executive Officer of the Union for International Cancer Control, about World Cancer Day, his work and what inspires him.

DD: Could you tell us about World Cancer Day?

CA: World Cancer Day takes place every 4 February with the goal of uniting everyone around the world in the fight against cancer. Every year a global campaign is developed with a specific theme and key areas of focus. The 2015 campaign theme is Not Beyond Us, to show that there are many things that can be done on all levels to tackle this global burden. We put together key materials and tools for people to use and raise awareness about the disease in their community, country or region. Cancer is the number one killer in the world and it needs to be put on the global health and development agenda. We work closely with our 800+ member organizations present across 155 countries; each of them has its own focus and its own goals. All our members come up with a different way to be engaged: some organize conferences to dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer, others promote a healthy lifestyle by putting in place sports activities, others raise funds to support the care and rehabilitation of cancer patients. I encourage anyone to visit worldcancerday.org and particularly our map of events (www.worldcancerday.org/events-map) to see the infinity of activities that are taking place on and around 4 February 2015. World Cancer Day is the perfect occasion to remind people that cancer is not a fatality and that simple and easy measures can be put in place to reduce the burden in all areas of the cancer continuum, such as prevention, early detection, treatment and palliative care. It is never too late to act, and it is never too early either. The battle against cancer starts now.

DD: How did you get involved in this issue and what motivates you to do the work you do? 

CA: Five years ago, having left a career in the banking industry, I was looking for a challenging role which had a social impact—I felt that it was time for me to give back to society. I was fortunate to secure the role as Chief Executive Officer of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) at a time when the Board were looking to transform the way in which the organization operated and developed in future years. Cancer was important to me because I had lost family and friends to the disease in the past, and now I had a chance to help an inspirational community reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths globally. Every day, week, month, year, the UICC and its members and partners impact cancer globally. It is quite humbling to work with so many people who commit to making a difference to global health and it is this which inspires me on a day-to-day basis.

DD: What is a typical day for you at work?

CA: I’m not sure I could describe a typical day of work in this role! I travel quite a bit to meet our UICC members around the world, and on their behalf attend meetings and congresses to impact thinking on cancer in specific countries and regions. However, when in Geneva my days are a mix of internal meetings, telephone calls, webinars, conference calls, visits to local United Nations agencies and generally motivating and encouraging the team in UICC to deliver beyond expectations at all times. I rise at 06:30, have a coffee in a local cafe around 07:30, when I deal with all the emails that have arrived overnight, and then work through the day at the office from 08:15 until 19:30. Often I have dinners in the evening, but rarely a lunch. It is always a busy and enjoyable day!

DD: If you were to give one key message to people reading this, what would it be? 

CA: It took me 23 years to realize that working in global health and development was something that I would find inspiring and rewarding. I would encourage everyone to seek out people who can make a difference in our world and inspire them to help make life better for the many who do not have the chance to do it themselves.