Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

Cancer Control Month – April 2025

Cancer Control Month is observed during the month of April every year. It is a national observance that aims to educate people about living healthy lives and making lifestyle choices that decrease the risk of cancer. The month-long observance is also an attempt to recognize the struggles of people with cancer and work towards reducing their struggles and burdens. All around the country, people come together to raise awareness and share cancer information. The aim is to ensure that more people know about the ways of prevention, early detection, and cancer treatment.

History of Cancer Control Month

Cancer Control Month is observed in April every year throughout the country. This national observance was instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who saw that cancer was as deadly as the wars that people were fighting. However, people were not aware of the effects of cancer, let alone ways of preventing and managing it. To ensure that all Americans would be educated about cancer and how to control the disease, President Roosevelt decided to declare April as Cancer Control Month. Medical professionals, institutes, educators, and all other individuals were called upon to raise awareness about cancer.

The primary aim of Cancer Control Month is prevention. Avoiding some risk factors can reduce the chances of people having cancer. The first step to preventing these risk factors involves understanding cancer risks. Some risks are commonly known, like smoking. Other risk factors that increase an individual’s chances of developing cancer include alcohol consumption, viral infections like H.P.V., exposure to radiation (including radiation from the sun), old age, obesity, and specific chemicals.

Cancer Control Month also aims to raise awareness about early screening for cancer to ensure early detection of the disease, which increases the chances of survival. Early detection is possible through regular procedures such as mammograms and colonoscopies and consulting with doctors about surgery or medication if there is a history of cancer in your immediate family. Finally, the month also aims to research cancer, its possible causes, treatments, and eventually, a cure. The research is directed towards improving current treatments and survival rates among people with cancer and improving their quality of life.

Cancer Control Month timeline

1943
The First Cancer Control Month Declared

President Roosevelt declares the first Cancer Control Month after seeing American people dying of cancer in large numbers.

1950s
The Cancer-Smoking is Link Discovered

The link between smoking and cancer is discovered as scientists study the cancer epidemic in the 1950s.

1960s
Pap Tests are Used as Screening Tests

Pap tests, developed in the 1920s, start being used as a screening test for cancer.

1980s
The Cancer-Causing H.P.V. is Discovered

Dr. Harald Zur Hausen discovers that H.P.V. plays a role in causing cervical cancer.

Cancer Control Month FAQs

At what stage does cancer spread?

When cancer spreads to distant parts of the body from where it originated, it has reached stage four.

Can a tumor grow overnight?

Yes, tumors grow overnight, and nighttime is the best time for tumors to grow.

Is Stage four always terminal?

Stage four is not always terminal, it just needs a stronger treatment plan.

How to Observe Cancer Control Month

  1. Spread the word

    The most important part of Cancer Control Month is spreading awareness about avoiding risk factors and preventing cancer. Spread the word among your family, friends, and community so that they are informed.

  2. Get screened for cancer

    One of the best ways to observe Cancer Control Month is to take the necessary precautions to prevent cancer. Get yourself screened today!

  3. Donate to the N.F.C.R.

    The National Foundation for Cancer Research works to improve treatments for cancer and find a cure. They rely on donations for this life-saving research. Consider donating to them this Cancer Control Month.

5 Facts To Know About Cancer

  1. There are cancers common among women

    The most common cancer among women is breast cancer, followed by lung cancer.

  2. Indoor tanning is worse than smoking

    There are more cases of skin cancer caused by indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases caused by smoking.

  3. Half the cancer deaths are preventable

    Researchers believe that about half of cancer-related deaths, and even half of the cancer cases in the world, are preventable.

  4. There are over 14 different diagnostic tests

    Cancer is not one disease — there are many types and subtypes, and diagnostic methods have been developed to identify the different types of cancer.

  5. Naked mole rats may be the solution

    Naked mole rats are immune to cancer, so scientists are studying them to find a possible cure.

Why Cancer Control Month is Important

  1. We want to prevent needless suffering

    We think that no one should have to suffer from cancer when over half of the cancers are preventable. We want to make sure that everyone is aware of the risk factors.

  2. We want to support survivors

    We do not want to see people struggling if we can help it. We want to support the goal of improving the quality of life of people with cancer.

  3. We want to help find a cure

    We think that it is high time that a cure is found for this deadly disease. We want to donate and do our part to support the researchers looking for a cure.

Cancer Control Month dates

Year Date Day
2025 April 1 Tuesday
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
2028 April 1 Saturday
2029 April 1 Sunday
April
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
 
 
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Cyprus National Holiday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month's Day of Action
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
SAAM Day of Action
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.