In a powerful collective effort to address the disparities in cancer care worldwide, the World Cancer Day 2024 brings the spotlight on the urgent need to close the care gap.
As the globe unites on February 4 to raise awareness and foster a shared commitment, the focus shifts towards ensuring that every individual, regardless of location or economic status, has equal access to quality cancer care.
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. It can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body and go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of body. It could also spread to other organs; a process is called metastasizing, which is a major cause of death.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common in men while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common in women.
In line with commemorating the World Cancer Day awareness, the Director-general of WHO, Dr. Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, disclosed that “At some point in our lives cancer affects all of us. New estimates show that about 1 in 5people globally will develop cancer. Lower income countries are seeing the fastest growth of cancer. Globally, two-third of countries does not include affordable access to priority cancer services in their health benefit package”.
In a statement released by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, this year marks the third and final year of the campaign that started 2022 to help “Close the cancer gap”.
With the 2024 World Cancer day themed “Together, we challenge those in power”, Dr. Moeti explains that “The theme encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritize and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world”.
The most common cancers in adults are breast, cervical, prostate, lung, colorectal and lung cancers
According to statistics revealed by WHO, the most common in 2020 (in terms of new cases of cancer) were: breast (2.26 million cases); lung (2.21 million cases); colon and rectum (1.93 million cases); prostate (1.41 million cases); skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and stomach (1.09 million cases), with approximately 400,000 children developing cancer each year.
The statistics also revealed that the most common causes of cancer death in 2020 were: lung (1.80 million deaths); colon and rectum (916 000 deaths); liver (830 000 deaths); stomach (769 000 deaths); and breast (685 000 deaths).
Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.
Cancer-causing infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, are responsible for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
WHO reports that between 30 and 50% of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies. The cancer burden can also be reduced through early detection of cancer and appropriate treatment and care of patients who develop cancer. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated appropriately.
Eating right and staying physically active can do more than just keep one fit; it can keep colorectal cancer at bay. With Colorectal cancer affecting about 38,800 people yearly in the African region, lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk.
For cervical cancer, screening is also important to prevent and control the disease. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination has been advocated by experts for the protection of this cancer, alongside treatment and palliative care.
Some ways to reduce the risk of cancer includes, exercising regularly, eating more fruits and vegetables while maintaining healthy balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and refraining from tobacco use.
Rehabilitation centers have being recognized to help cancer patient while targeting physical, mental and emotional aftermath and also empowering patients and families for optimal well-being.
In an era where technology connects us more than eve, strides in telemedicine are becoming crucial in bridging the care gap. Remote consultations, virtual support groups, and digital resources are expected to be utilized, seeing as they are proving to be invaluable assets in ensuring that even those in underserved regions have access to expert advice and emotional support.
