Each year, more than 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most common cancer in the world affecting all adults, according to statistics. WHO.
Although a few high-income countries have been able to reduce breast cancer death rates by 40% since 1990, for women in poorer countries, one of the main challenges is getting a diagnosis. timely prediction.
“Breast cancer survival is 50% or less in many low- and middle-income countries,” Dr. Bente Mikkelsen of the WHO told journalists in Geneva. But the ratio is “more than 90 percent for those who can get the best care in high-income countries,” she emphasized.
Tedros: priority, everywhere
To address these inequalities and to coincide with World Cancer Day on 4 February, the United Nations agency Global Breast Cancer Initiative search reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% per year.
“Countries with weak health systems are less able to control the growing burden of breast cancer. It puts enormous strain on individuals, families, communities, health systems and economies, so it should be a priority for health ministries and governments everywheresaid Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.
“We have the tools and the know-how to prevent breast cancer and save lives. WHO is assisting more than 70 countries, especially low- and middle-income countries, to Early detection of breast cancer, faster diagnosis, better treatment and gives breast cancer survivors hope for a cancer-free future.”
In the frame
To address the specific needs of each country and provide guidance to governments, the initiative’s framework has three pillars: strengthen health control to encourage early detection; timely diagnosis and treatment with effective therapies.
By 2040, more than three million cases and one million deaths are expected each year worldwide. About 75% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
“We really can’t avoid breast cancer if we’re dealing with cancer countries,” said Dr Ben Anderson, Medical Director of the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative.
“It’s the most common cancer, in both men and women, which is the most likely reason women die of cancer globally, It is the most common cancer in women in 86% of countriesand it is the number one or two cause of cancer-related death in 95 percent of countries, so having a framework to build on in the coming years is an essential starting point.”
In 95% of countries, breast cancer is the leading or second cause of cancer death in women.
However, Nearly 80% of breast and cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countriesAccording to WHO.
A woman holds a pink ribbon in celebration of Breast Cancer Day.
