New Delhi, February 4 (IANS). Cancer still remains a major cause of death worldwide and it brings a lot of suffering not only to the patient but also to their families.
In the South-East Asia region alone, an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million deaths are expected in 2022. Out of these, more than 56 thousand cases were of children. Even though science and treatment have progressed significantly, the burden continues to grow and the number of new cases and deaths is expected to almost double by 2050.
World Health Organization (WHO) Officer-in-Charge Dr. Catharina Boehm said that this year the theme of World Cancer Day is ‘United by Unique’. Cancer is a global threat, but every country, every city and every person is affected differently. Therefore, its proper treatment and prevention is possible only when we work together and plan according to local needs.
WHO is supporting countries in the South-East Asia region’s cancer prevention and management strategy for 2024-2030. This means countries can develop their own national cancer control plans, strengthen cancer registries, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and ensure easy access to palliative care. At the same time, working together is very important.
WHO, in collaboration with international agencies such as the IAEA and IARC, is providing countries with baseline analysis of their situation and recommendations for appropriate planning and investment.
Additionally, platforms such as SEAR-CCN (for Children’s Cancer) and the Southeast Asia Cancer Grid (SECAN Grid) are strengthening collaboration between countries. The SEECAN Grid also ensures that scientific evidence is appropriately used according to the local circumstances of each country.
Many countries in the region are also at the forefront of these efforts and are taking new initiatives. For example, Thailand’s “Cancer Anywhere” program allows people to seek treatment at any public hospital. Bharat is increasing day-care chemotherapy centers in district hospitals. Bhutan’s population-based cancer registry collects data from across the country to improve prevention programs and the quality of treatment.
Many countries have also taken steps for children’s cancer. Myanmar increased access to treatment through a satellite center network, Nepal made childhood cancer treatment free, and Sri Lanka created a separate national policy for childhood cancer. These examples show that change is possible if the will is there.
But the challenges are still big. The cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio in the South-East Asia region is almost twice that of high-income countries and three times that of childhood cancer. Not all countries have yet made a national cancer control plan. In many places, screening coverage is low and access to diagnostic and treatment services is unequal. Therefore, what is needed now is political will and long-term investment.
–IANS
PIM/ABM
