Event Information

United by Unique: Putting people at the centre of cancer care

Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis — it is a long-term condition that can affect every part of life. Beyond physical health, cancer impacts mental wellbeing, relationships, work, finances, and the wider community.

This year’s World Cancer Day theme, United by Unique, recognises that while every cancer journey is different, we are united in the need for cancer care that is compassionate, inclusive, and responsive to the realities people face.

Too often, traditional cancer care focuses primarily on biology and symptoms, overlooking the social and environmental factors that shape a person’s experience and recovery — such as income, support systems, housing, transport, and living conditions. This is why there is a growing global call for more holistic, people-centred cancer care.

What is people-centred cancer care?

People-centred care focuses on the needs, values, and active participation of individuals, families, and communities in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care.

It represents a fundamental shift in how health and cancer services are designed and delivered — placing those impacted by cancer at the heart of health systems. By recognising lived experience and engaging people beyond the clinical setting, people-centred care improves equity, trust, satisfaction, and health outcomes.

How do we achieve people-centred cancer care?

Delivering people-centred cancer care requires meaningful change across the entire health system. Four core principles guide this approach:

Engage people and communities

People living with cancer, alongside caregivers and advocacy groups, must be actively involved in shaping services, care practices, and health policies.
What this means: care systems designed with people, informed by lived experience, not just for them.

Reorient the model of care

Cancer care must be continuous, coordinated, and compassionate — extending through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
What this means: supporting dignity, health literacy, and long-term wellbeing for patients and families at every stage.

Equity, inclusion and transparency in governance

Decision-making must address barriers such as geography, language, income, disability, and stigma.
What this means: cancer services that are accessible, culturally sensitive, and fair.

Create an enabling environment for cancer care reform

Sustainable change requires strong leadership, supportive policies, systems that reward quality and collaboration, and a workforce prepared to deliver new models of care.
What this means: building the conditions needed for compassionate, people-centred care to thrive.

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What does this mean at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre?

At Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, people-centred care means ensuring access to high-quality cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and support, while recognising the individual circumstances, values, and needs of each person we serve.

It also means working to reduce barriers to care, supporting patients and families through navigation and education, and advocating for equitable access so that no one in Bermuda is left behind.

How can you take action?

From raising awareness to offering support, your actions — big or small — can help move us closer to a world without cancer.

You can:

• Learn more about people-centred cancer care

• Share your experience to help inform and inspire change

• Support access to cancer care through a donation

Explore ways to take action globally through World Cancer Day

Share your story locally and globally

We encourage you to submit your story, challenge, or action to World Cancer Day International. Once you have completed your international submission, please also send a copy to events@chc.bm , so Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre can help share it within our community.

Email: events@chc.bm
Suggested subject line: World Cancer Day – My Story / Challenge / Action