85 pc increase in cancer cases, deaths expected by 2050 in South-East Asia: WHO

SouthEast Asia region is expected to witness an 85 per cent increase in the number of new Cancer cases and deaths said the World Health Organization WHO on Monday ahead of World Cancer DayEach year 4 February is commemorated as World Cancer DayldquoThe theme this year United by Unique is a reminder of the collective commitment against cancerrdquo said Saima Wazed Regional Director for WHO SouthEast AsialdquoWHO acknowledges every patientrsquos unique experiences and the value of peoplecentered care delivered jointly by healthcare providers families friends and communityrdquo she addedIn 2022 the WHO SouthEast Asia Region had 24 million new cases of cancer including 56000 children and 15 million deathsldquoAmong all the WHO regions our Region had the highest number of cancers of lips and oral cavity uterine cervix and childhood cancers It is estimated that by 2050 there will be an 85 per cent increase in the number of new cases and deaths in the Regionrdquo said WazedShe also noted the progress made in countries in the Region in the last few years This includes a reduction in tobacco consumptionldquoThe Region has seen the fastest rate of decline in tobacco use which is a major risk factor for several high burden cancersrdquo Wazed saidWazed said six countries have dedicated national plans for cancer control and two countries have included cancer as part of the national NCD plan to strategically guide cancer prevention and control activitiesEight countries have introduced nationwide Human Papillomavirus HPV vaccinationThe Regional Director said that 10 countries are implementing global initiatives for childhood cancer and seven countries have operational populationbased cancer registries In 10 countries tertiarylevel cancer care is generally available reaching 50 per cent or more patients in needHowever some persisting challenges include scattered responses to cancer control National cancer control programmes and plans are not fully aligned with evidence or best practices resulting in their ineffective implementationPolicies and guidance on control of cancercausing agents prevalent in the Region such as areca nut are lackingExisting cancer prevention policies and programmes are not fully implemented leading to millions of avoidable cases Wazed said Late diagnosis and lack of national capacities to manage the increasing cancer burden also hinder cancer controlAlso ReadlsquoIt was shockingrsquo How to manage being a family caregiver for a cancer patientThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever