Presently, cancer is the second biggest cause of mortality in the world. As a result of research and innovation in clinical and medical oncology, cancer care and management has advanced from an era of ambiguity to one of accuracy. The advancement in cancer treatment has extended life expectancy and saved many lives. Despite, however, improvements in medical technology and health infrastructure, India’s cancer rate is still rising, necessitating a review, and upgrading of current approaches to the disease’s prevention and management. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme’s most recent study, India’s cancer burden might rise from 1.39 million cases in 2020 to 1.57 million cases in 2025. Factors such as late-stage presentation, limited access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and cost all contribute to this trend of an increase in the burden of cancer-related morbidity and death in the nation. The gaps in cancer care have grown even worse with the current COVID-19 epidemic.

The National Cancer Awareness Week was a mega interactive annual event that was observed from 9^th to 17 November 2021, to create awareness on the various aspects of cancer.

The week-long observation witnessed the active participation of ministries, government bodies, health department & institutes, hospitals to create advocacy on the various types of cancer and cancer prevention and to encourage everyone to take necessary action for better cancer care ecosystem and management strategies. Apart form oncologists and medical professionals the week-long deliberations by Rapid Global Cancer Alliance also saw the participation of policy makers and corporate insurance companies to advocate for inclusion of diagnostic tests in the health insurance schemes of both private and government sector. The idea behind the celebration was to create relevant awareness on the different aspects of cancer care ecosystem and also to make sure that the pandemic must not hinder the needs of cancer patients. The Rapid Global Cancer Alliance worked pro-actively to engage with all experts during the cancer week and hoisted numerous talk shows on important issues like ling cancer, liver cancer, preventive lifestyle, transplants, surgical interventions, risk factors and so on.

The thought process behind the initiative was to create relevant awareness and knowledge sharing platform for cancer patients and their care givers even when healthcare systems with grappling with the pandemic. The Rapid Global Cancer Alliance was responsive to the needs of the cancer patients and their families and came up with the innovative idea to ensure that the critical need of these patients is met at all levels. The week – long endeavour also advocated for better lifestyle, policy regulations and better infrastructural capabilities in the healthcare system to ensure that each and every Indian is able to have access to good quality cancer care irrespective of their economic condition, education level and geographical locations. The vision of Rapid Global Cancer Alliance is to ensure that the cancer care ecosystem is able to cater to the needs of millions of people who need timely care including counselling and palliative care for patients so that they can live a good quality life in a pain-free and dignified manner.