On World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday called for closing the gap in cancer care between high-income and low-income countries.
Globally, cancer is a leading cause of death, with around 20 million people diagnosed and 10 million dying from the disease in 2021, the WHO said.
These numbers will continue to rise in the decades to come, she noted.
Although all cancers can be treated and many can be prevented or cured, the care available reflects global inequalities. Full treatment is available in more than 90% of high-income countries, but less than 15% of low-income countries, the WHO said.
Cancer services are covered by national health services in only 37% of low- and middle-income countries, compared to at least 78% of high-income countries.
The WHO has highlighted the role of national cancer centres, saying they can be a one-stop shop for prevention, diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment and supportive care, making it easier for patients to navigate in services with focused expertise and leads to better results.
Radiation therapy is one of the most cost-effective, effective and widely used cancer treatments, yet access to it worldwide remains insufficient. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have also experienced disruptions in cancer screening and treatment, WHO noted.