19-25 January: Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

The aim of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is to educate people on cervical cancer and the importance or regular screenings. Find out about careers in cervical cytology screening and other alternative career paths in pathology.

4 February: World Cancer Day 

World Cancer Day is an initiative to unite the entire world in the fight against cancer, to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and to dismiss misconceptions about the disease.

College resources about cancer include:

• the College’s response to the release of the Government’s National Cancer Plan, and the College’s submission to the national cancer plan call for evidence
• the College's position on and information about cancer diagnostics
• the College's position on and information about digital pathology
• the journey of a biopsy video
• Cancel cancer, an interactive activity that examines cancer diagnosis and the increasing use of molecular pathology in diagnosis and treatment, aimed at 14–16 year olds.

Throughout March: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Supported by Ovarian Cancer Action, Target Ovarian Cancer and other gynaecological charities, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. It is a great time to showcase the role pathologists take in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Throughout March: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. This campaign presents a chance to promote pathologists' role in early diagnosis, and encourages people to take 30 seconds to check their risk. 

8 March: International Women's Day

The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is ‘Give to Gain’. You can use International Women's Day to showcase pioneering women in pathology, past and present, and to encourage young women to consider a career in pathology. 

6-15 March: British Science Week

British Science Week focuses on engaging young people with grassroots events and activities. It is a great opportunity to highlight pathology and the science behind it. Don't forget to check out our resources for running activities with children and teens. 

9-15 March: Healthcare Science Week

Healthcare Science Week is dedicated to highlighting the numerous scientific specialities and professional groups that comprise the large NHS workforce. This is a fantastic opportunity for your organisation to promote and raise awareness of the many science careers, pathways and development opportunities available in the health sector. Check out our resources which provide support and ideas for anyone who wants to run an event about pathology, and our careers pages which have information on the routes into different pathology specialties. You can also order free careers booklets and promotional materials to use at your event.

Throughout April: Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is supported by a range of UK charities including Macmillan, Guts UK, and Bowel Cancer UK, and aims to raise awareness of the UK’s fourth most common cancer. Pathologists play a vital role in the team who support those with bowel cancer.

The College has activity resources called What does your poo say about you? that can be used to start conversations with a variety of audience groups about the important role of screening programmes, and the work of pathologists. Read the College’s response to the release of the Government’s National Cancer Plan, and the College’s submission to the national cancer plan call for evidence.

Throughout April: National Pet Month

National Pet Month aims to promote responsible pet ownership and offers an opportunity to highlight the vital role veterinary pathologists play in preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases in domestic animals. Find out how to become a veterinary pathologist, check out our interview with veterinary pathologist, Alex Civello, and download our dog breeding activity resource, Paws for thought. 

24-30 April: World Immunization Week

The World Health Organization celebrates World Immunization Week every year to raise awareness of the importance of immunisation in preventing diseases and protecting life. This year’s theme is ‘For every generation, vaccines work’, promoting how vaccines have safely protected people, families, and communities for generations – and continue to safeguard our future. The College has created a range of resources called Viruses and Vaccines to open conversations about vaccines with the public, and to help dispel common myths and misconceptions. Other public engagement activities related to immunisation include Blossom the cow and Give it a Shot!

5 May: World Hand Hygiene Day

This is the World Health Organization's annual call to action to health workers about the importance of hand hygiene for infection control. Medical microbiologists play a vital role in infection control in hospitals; watch our interview with medical microbiologist, Dr Shanika Crusz. If you’re interested in a career in medical microbiology, you can watch our careers webinar on this specialty and read about becoming a microbiologist in our careers section.

11-17 May: Mental Health Awareness Week

The Mental Health Foundation coordinates this annual awareness week, which this year focuses on taking action. The College commissions blogs on a number of themes related to the mental health of its members and has published its position on the challenges facing the pathology workforce. In late 2025 the College held a series of 4 webinars about the key causes of burnout, The hidden hazard: Recognising and preventing burnout.

1–7 June: Volunteers' Week

Volunteers' Week is coordinated by the NCVO to say thank you for the enormous contribution volunteers make. Hundreds of volunteers are involved in the work of the College including our Committees, our Regional Councils, and our Pathology Ambassadors. You can find out about current volunteering opportunities at the College here.

5 June: World Environment Day

Run by the UN World Environment Programme, World Environment Day aims to encourage action to protect our environment. This year it is hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan and the focus is on the urgency of climate action. The College aspires to reduce and minimise the environmental impact of its activities and to advocate for the health of our planet, by collating and disseminating examples of good practice in pathology, and educating and inspiring members to adopt these practices. Find out more by reading our Net Zero mission statement.

8-14 June: Diabetes Week

Coordinated by Diabetes UK, Diabetes Week aims to increase public understanding of diabetes and to support research on this condition, which affects 1 in 15 of us in the UK. Watch our video about the work of a Consultant Clinical Scientist, Joanne Morris, whose work helps people with diabetes monitor and manage their condition. 

14 June: World Blood Donor Day

This annual global event aims to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. Haematologists play a vital role in ensuring blood transfusions are carried out safely. Watch our interview with Consultant Haematologist, Dr Emma Drasar.

19 June: World Sickle Cell Day

This international awareness day is observed annually to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients, their families, and caregivers. Haematologists support sickle cell patients throughout their lives, and you can find out more about a career in red cell haematology in our recent careers webinar. The College has a free downloadable activity pack about genetic inheritance of sickle cell disease called Split your genes. 

28 July: World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is led by the World Health Organization and aims to promote hepatitis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Watch our interview with Dr Shanika Crusz, Consultant Medical Microbiologist, read more about becoming a virologist, or download our Viruses and vaccines activity resources. We also have a Hepatitis B virus colouring resource.

We're not currently supporting any specific awareness campaigns in August.

Throughout September: Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Blood Cancer Awareness Month is supported by charities including Bloodwise, Leukaemia UK and Anthony Nolan to raise awareness of how to improve treatments for blood cancer and increase the number of lives saved. Watch our video about a woman with myeloma and about the role played by immunologists and haematologists in her diagnosis and treatment.

21-27 September: Organ Donation Week

Organised by NHS Blood and Transplant to promote organ donation and to encourage people to share their decision on organ donation with their families. Our resource, My heart belongs to you: organ donation, is aimed at A-level students and includes 3 different scenarios based around making a decision about organ donation.

17 September: World Patient Safety Day

This awareness day is coordinated by the World Health Organization to promote global solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to show their commitment to patient safety. The College’s Patient safety and quality strategy 2024-2029 outlines our commitment to improving patient safety and delivering excellence in pathology services. Find out more about our Patient Safety Steering Group, and watch a webinar, Improving paediatric and neonatal care through clinical pathological pathways, that was held as part of World Patient Safety Day 2025. We have also developed a range of resources on patient safety awareness. 

Throughout October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This international awareness campaign is supported by a number of charities including CoppaFeel! and Breast Cancer Now in the UK. Find out the vital role histopathologists play in diagnosing breast cancer by watching our interview with consultant histopathologist, Dr Mark Howard, and our video on the journey of a biopsy.

4 October: World Animal Day

This is organised by the Naturewatch Foundation to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Find out about the vital work of veterinary pathologists in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease in a wide range of animals.

10 October: World Mental Health Day

As part of our work in supporting pathologists to maintain good mental health we have commissioned a professional development blog series by Dr Chris Tiplady, Director of Education at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You can find his blog series here. In late 2025 the College held a series of 4 webinars about the key causes of burnout, The hidden hazard: Recognising and preventing burnout.

Throughout November: Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Supported by various charities, including Roy Castle Lung Foundation, this campaign encourages people displaying the common symptoms of lung cancer, such as a persistent cough, breathlessness or unexplained weight-loss, to visit their GP. Read about the QuicDNA project, a transformative initiative taking place across Wales, incorporating liquid biopsies into lung cancer assessments.

2-8 November: National Pathology Week

National Pathology Week is our annual celebration of pathology, when we highlight the important contribution pathologists make to healthcare. Working in partnership with pathologists and laboratory scientists across the UK, our programme of events and activities aims to engage people of all ages, and improve public awareness and understanding of how pathologists and scientists diagnose disease. The theme in 2025 was 'Pathology Solutions'; the theme for 2026 will be announced shortly. We provide a wide range of free resources and support for event organisers. Take a look at our guide for getting involved in National Pathology Week.

11 November: International Pathology Day

International Pathology Day was established in 2014 to recognise and celebrate the contribution and important role played by pathology and laboratory medicine services in addressing global health challenges and improving the health outcomes of communities around the world. Read the highlights from our virtual conference held for International Pathology Day 2025.

18-24 November: World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW)

WAAW aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices for using antimicrobials responsibly among the general public, health workers and policy makers, to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. The College has published a position statement on antimicrobial resistance.

We're not currently supporting any specific awareness campaigns in December.