World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, observed on the third Thursday in February from 2023 onwards, is an international day that is observed to raise awareness about a very rare but aggressive type of cancer. It takes place on February 20 this year. Did you know that about 11,000 cases of cholangiocarcinoma are diagnosed each year in the United States? Yes, it is one of the rarest and most deadly forms of cancer. So, what exactly is cholangiocarcinoma, and how can it be prevented? Here’s everything you need to know about World Cholangiocarcinoma Day.
HISTORY OF WORLD CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA DAY
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the bile ducts and small tubes that carry digestive fluids in and around the liver. It also affects the gallbladder. On World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, doctors, healthcare workers, cancer survivors, and activists come together to raise much-needed awareness of this form of liver cancer.
One of the main reasons why cholangiocarcinoma is regarded as the deadliest form of cancer is that it is difficult to diagnose. Currently, there are no specific screening tests to detect this disease. In fact, people impacted by this disease often have no symptoms at all. So, how do people identify this disease? In most cases, bile duct tumors are usually found during tests or procedures for other bile duct or liver conditions, like gallstones. Another reason why this disease is deadly is due to its nature. Cholangiocarcinoma impacts the liver and bile duct. A healthy liver is essential for ingestion and detoxification. But for patients touched by cholangiocarcinoma, the tumors in the bile duct prevent the liver from carrying out certain functions, resulting in conditions like jaundice, weight loss, abdominal pain, and toxin build-up in the system.
So, identifying the disease early is an effective treatment option. Unfortunately, cholangiocarcinoma is a poorly understood and under-researched disease that is increasing in incidence globally. So, moving forward let’s all take a stand to follow healthy habits to maintain a healthy liver and support and help those who are battling cancer.
WORLD CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA DAY TIMELINE
Researcher Rudolph Virchow identifies white blood cells in cancerous tissue.
Hilario de Gouvea finds that susceptibility to cancer can be passed on from a parent to a child.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes the National Cancer Institute.
Congress passes the 21st Century Cures Act that provides funding for a cancer research program.
