It is estimated that every year 10 million people die from cancer.
Beyond human suffering, it is a disease with profound and growing economic consequences: it is estimated that by 2030, spending on cancer care will reach 458 billion dollars (about 419 billion euros).
In many countries, patients must pay for much of their cancer care directly, a burden that often results in financial catastrophe.
Taking that into account, investing in early detection and efficient prevention strategies is not only a moral imperative, but also an economic one.
Prevention is much cheaper than treatments and, when it is not possible to avoid cancer, early detection increases the probability that treatments will be successful and the costs are much lower.
When cancer progresses, the full range of quality therapies—including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy—must be available and affordable for everyone.
For non-communicable diseases in general, every dollar invested in efficient interventions can multiply the benefits sevenfold, through reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity.
For non-communicable diseases in general, every dollar invested in efficient interventions can multiply the benefits sevenfold, through reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity
Although prevention and treatment are essential, so are palliative care, which relieves unnecessary suffering for patients, their families and caregivers, and provides survivors with plans to maintain good health.
Following the pandemic – which significantly disrupted palliative care services – and with increasing numbers of cancer survivors around the world, investment is urgently needed in both areas.
Comprehensive cancer care is essential to achieve social development objectives related to equality, social justice and health.
And, with enough political will, we can achieve universal care.
In Pakistan, the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital network offers world-class cancer care.
The King Hussein Cancer Center significantly expanded oncology care and scientific research in Jordan, and collaborates with international partners such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to provide care to patients in Syria and Lebanon.
But countries face many challenges in incorporating cancer care into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) schemes.
In Kenya, for example, collaborative campaigns by a range of cancer control organizations have expanded access to services and removed financial barriers, but rural populations remain difficult to reach.
In Indonesia, a decentralized health system has increased health equity, but gaps remain in cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
Even in Thailand—which integrated six areas of cancer control (oncology informatics, primary prevention, early detection, treatment, palliative care, and cancer control research) into its UHC scheme—efforts are needed to improve public awareness and ensure that the relevant services are used.
The Thai model highlights the potential public health benefits of UHC schemes that include comprehensive cancer treatment.
The Union for International Cancer Control, which has 1,150 members in more than 170 countries and territories, continually works with governments and other stakeholders around the world to develop and implement cancer control strategies and integrate them into national plans. of medical coverage.
Just as goals without plans are just wishes, plans without specific resources just gather dust.
Unless essential cancer services are covered by basic health coverage schemes, they will remain inaccessible or unaffordable for many of those who need them.
And when health coverage exists, it is essential to limit out-of-pocket patient payments.
Cancer patients typically max out their [health insurance] deductible amounts shortly after diagnosis because of the many tests and procedures they must undergo, but treatments often span months or years and require numerous doctor visits, tests, surgeries, radiation treatments, medications and other services.
An effective cancer control strategy must reflect an understanding of the details of cost-effectiveness, including not only initial costs but also long-term savings, including improvements in quality of life and increasing productivity.
It must also include a commitment to addressing not only the disease itself, but each person's holistic experience, and a firm determination to remove financial and cultural barriers that impede early treatment and diagnosis.
Governments should not stop at noble promises and verbal commitments.
Only concrete actions to implement UHC—that include quality cancer services, and consider the diverse needs of populations in different economic strata and regions—can ensure that cancer care does not become the missing piece of the health puzzle. world.
Sonali Johnson
is director of knowledge and advocacy at the Union for International Cancer Control.
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