WHO calls for closing cancer care gap between high and low income countries

　　Xinhua News Agency, Geneva, February 4 (Reporter Liu Qu) On the occasion of World Cancer Day 2022, the World Health Organization called for closing the gap in cancer care between high-income and low-income countries.

　　February 4th is World Cancer Day, and this year's theme is "Integrating Health Resources and Sharing Medical Care for All".

The World Health Organization said in a communiqué on the 3rd that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and the burden on countries is increasing.

While all cancers are treatable, many of which can be prevented or cured, there are inequalities and inequities in cancer care globally, with disparities particularly stark between high- and low-income countries.

　　According to WHO statistics, about 20 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with cancer in 2021, and about 10 million people will die from cancer, and these numbers will continue to rise in the coming decades.

Comprehensive cancer care is reported to be available in more than 90% of high-income countries, compared with less than 15% in low-income countries.

　　To close this gap, WHO recommends that countries establish national cancer centres and strengthen the services of existing cancer centres, ensuring that cancer centres play a key role in cancer care.

WHO believes that national cancer centres integrate prevention, diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment and supportive care, making it easier for patients to access relevant services, leading to better treatment outcomes.

　　Radiation therapy is currently one of the most cost-effective, effective and widely used methods of cancer treatment, but access to the therapy remains insufficient globally, especially in low-income countries, the WHO said.

The WHO said it was launching a new "Lights of Hope" initiative with the International Atomic Energy Agency, starting in Africa and prioritizing high-impact, cost-effective and sustainable interventions based on national needs and commitments.

　　In addition, according to an October 2021 survey, cancer screening and treatment services have been partially or completely disrupted in more than half of the countries surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

WHO is calling for increased efforts to scale up high-quality cancer response programmes at international, national and community levels to help cancer patients regain hope.