The WHO Focuses on Cancer Elimination

Cancer treatments balance cost, feasibility, and effectiveness
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(Vax-Before-Travel)

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the need to step up cancer services in low and middle-income countries. 

The WHO warned in a statement published on February 4, 2020, that, if current trends continue, the world will see a 60 percent increase in cancer cases over the next 20 years.

An estimated 81 percent of new cancer cases will occur in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates are currently lowest.

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 percent 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.

“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, WHO Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/ Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, in this statement.

“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. 

The WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) are releasing coordinated reports on World Cancer Day, February 4, 2020, in response to government calls for more research into the scope and potential policies and programs to improve cancer control.

“At least 7 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 mobilizing different stakeholders to work together,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO.

The WHO highlights a wide range of proven interventions to prevent new cancer cases. 

These include controlling tobacco use, which is responsible for 25 percent of cancer deaths, vaccinating against hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer, eliminating cervical cancer by vaccinating against the Human Papillomavirus (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 programs, which together with better treatment, have contributed to an estimated 20 percent reduction in the probability of premature mortality between 2000 and 2015, but low-income countries only saw a reduction of 5 percent.” 

“We need to see everyone benefitting equally.” 

The challenge will be for countries to select treatment balancing considerations including cost, feasibility, and effectiveness. 

Each government is tasked with choosing the appropriate innovative cancer therapies while recognizing that established treatments, many of which are very effective and affordable, can provide benefits for cancer without causing financial hardship, concluded this WHO press release.

Cancer news is published by Precision Vaccinations.

 

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