A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that cancer continues to place a devastating human and economic burden on the world, with the disease claiming more than 26,000 lives every day.
The report highlights growing inequalities in cancer survival rates, noting that a person’s chances of surviving cancer often depend largely on where they live and the level of healthcare available in their country.
According to the WHO, while cancer remains a major health concern globally, survival outcomes are significantly better in high-income countries compared with low-income regions. In Europe and North America, about one in four people is expected to develop cancer, but only around one in 12 die from the disease due to stronger healthcare systems, early detection and access to advanced treatment.
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However, in sub-Saharan Africa, many patients face poorer outcomes because of challenges including limited access to screening, delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment facilities and shortages of specialised healthcare services.
The WHO identified breast cancer as one of the clearest examples of the inequality gap. The report shows that nearly 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in high-income countries survive for at least five years, compared with just over 40 percent of women in low-income countries.
The report estimates that the world records about 20.6 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths annually. It warns that the number of new cancer cases could rise to almost 35 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.
The WHO is calling on governments to strengthen cancer prevention programmes, expand access to early diagnosis, improve treatment services and address inequalities in healthcare delivery.
The organization says reducing the global cancer burden will require greater investment in health systems, increased public awareness and stronger efforts to ensure that quality cancer care is available to all, regardless of income or location.
Credit: AFRICANEWS
