World Cancer Day 2023: Raising Awareness Of Cancer Control & Diagnosis
World Cancer Day takes place on 4th February 2023. This awareness day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control, which “unites and supports the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote greater equity, and to ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda”.
Sadly, half of the world’s population does not have access to the full range of treatment required to reduce the impact of cancer. For this reason, the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day is “Close the Care Gap”, aiming to ensure as many people as possible have access to the latest resources for cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Urgent action is required to address inequalities between high-income and low-income countries. In high-income countries, childhood cancer survival rates are over 80%, but in low-income countries, they are as low as 20%.
The care gap also needs to be addressed within high-income countries where, for example, older people face disproportionate barriers to treatment even though 70% of those killed by cancer are aged 65 or older. Fortunately, the Union for International Cancer Control is making progress to close this care gap. They have established the global initiative the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition, which increases access to cancer treatment in low and lower-middle-income countries, and improves the capacity for diagnosing cancer.
This year the World Cancer Day website is shining a spotlight on cervical cancer, which is one of the most preventable and curable types of cancer. However, despite the potential for prevention and cure, whilst every minute a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, every two minutes a woman sadly dies from the disease. Without further action, deaths are expected to rise by 50% by 2030.
In light of these tragic statistics, in 2020 the World Health Assembly made a commitment to eradicate cervical cancer. The best way of preventing the disease is through vaccination and screening. With respect to vaccination, the World Health Organization has recommended that all girls aged between 9 and 14 are vaccinated to reduce HPV infections and pre-cancer of the cervix. For screening, the World Health Organization recommends that sexually active women aged 30 and above are screened for abnormal cervical cells and pre-cancerous lesions.
It can take several years for cervical cancer to develop, and if changes in cervix cells are detected early, there may be an opportunity for treatment and prevention before these changes develop into cancer. If cervical cancer has developed, early detection is essential to ensure the highest chance of survival. In the US, if the cancer is diagnosed before it has spread the five-year survival rate is 93%, compared to 15% if it is not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. Further action must therefore be taken to reduce the impact of this devastating disease on patients and their families.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a late diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer, GA Solicitors may be able to assist you in obtaining justice. If this is the case, please contact us on 01752 203500 or enquiries@GAsolicitors.com.
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