The World Health Organisation (WHO) has spelt out the need to step up cancer services in low and middle-income countries. The UN body warned on the occasion of the World Cancer Day on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 that, if current trends continue, the world will see a 60% increase in cancer cases over the next two decades.
The greatest increase (an estimated 81%) in new cases will occur in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates are currently lowest, it adds.
The WHO emphasised that this is largely because these countries have had to focus limited health resources on combating infectious diseases and improving maternal and child health, while health services are not equipped to prevent, diagnose and treat cancers. In 2019, more than 90% of high-income countries reported that comprehensive treatment services for cancer were available in the public health system compared to less than 15% of low-income countries, the organisation added.
“This is a wake-up call to all of us to tackle the unacceptable inequalities between cancer services in rich and poor countries,” says Dr Ren Minghui, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/ Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO.
He added: “If people have access to primary care and referral systems then cancer can be detected early, treated effectively and cured. Cancer should not be a death sentence for anyone, anywhere.”
Yet, progress in poorer countries is
achievable, stressed the WHO, pointing out that its collaboration with the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has produced two coordinated
reports on World Cancer Day, in response to government calls for more research
into the scope and potential policies and programmes to improve cancer control.
“At least seven million lives could be saved over the next decade, by
identifying the most appropriate science for each country situation, by basing
strong cancer responses on universal health coverage, and by mobilising
different stakeholders to work together,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
Director-General, WHO.
The WHO says it highlights a wide range of proven interventions to prevent new cancer cases, such as controlling tobacco use (responsible for 25% of cancer deaths), vaccinating against hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer, eliminating cervical cancer by vaccinating against HPV, screening and treatment, implementing high-impact cancer management interventions that bring value for money and ensuring access to palliative care including pain relief.
“The past 50 years have seen tremendous advances in research on cancer prevention and treatment,” says Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of IARC. “Deaths from cancer have been reduced. High-income countries have adopted prevention, early diagnosis and screening programmes, which together with better treatment, have contributed to an estimated 20% reduction in the probability of premature mortality between 2000 and 2015, but low-income countries only saw a reduction of 5%. We need to see everyone benefitting equally.”
The challenge will be for countries to select treatments balancing considerations including cost, feasibility and effectiveness. Each government is tasked with choosing the appropriate innovative cancer therapies, while recognising that established treatments, many of which are very effective and affordable, can provide benefits for cancer without causing financial hardship.
