World NET Cancer Day Date in the current year: November 10, 2024

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are tumors arising from cells of the nervous and endocrine (hormonal) systems. Neuroendocrine cells provide integration between the nervous and endocrine systems by receiving neuronal input from the nervous system and releasing hormones into the blood in response to this input.

NETs are most commonly found in the intestine, pancreas, or the lungs, but they also can occur in other areas of the body. They can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Some disorders that result in neuroendocrine tumors are hereditary. NETs that occur as a result of hereditary syndromes are referred to as GenNETs. GenNETs are usually caused by multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN), hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndrome, and familial isolated pituitary adenoma.

The symptoms of neuroendocrine tumors are typically non-specific and include pain, fatigue, weight loss, and lumps under the skin. Due to the non-specificity of the symptoms, NETs are extremely hard to diagnose. According to statistics, more than 90% of all NET patients are misdiagnosed and can go up to 7 years without receiving the correct treatment.

World NET Cancer Day, originally known as Worldwide NET Cancer Awareness Day, was launched in 2010 by the World NET Community Steering Committee. Today, the observance is coordinated by the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA), an umbrella organization that represents more than 30 patient advocacy and research groups from over two dozen countries and provides a global voice for people diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer and genetic neuroendocrine tumors.

The main goals of World NET Cancer Day are to raise global awareness of this rare and often misdiagnosed form on cancer and unite the NET community, medical professionals and organizations, decision makers, and other stakeholders in finding ways to improve NET diagnostics, treatment, care, and research on a global scale.

You can participate in World NET Cancer Day by wearing the zebra print ribbon (an awareness ribbon for rare and uncommon diseases, including neuroendocrine tumors), participating in various events held by INCA member organizations (conferences, seminars and webinars, charity walks), learning more about NET cancer, donating to an organization that supports NET patients or funds NET research, and spreading the word on social media with the hashtag #WorldNETCancerDay.

If you’re living with NET cancer or have a family member who have been diagnosed with the disease, consider sharing your story online to raise awareness of this rare condition, improve visibility, and give other NET patients, their caregivers and families hope. Of course, you don’t have to do this if you don’t feel comfortable, but your story might be able to change someones life for the better.