A recent survey conducted by World Health Organisation (WHO) for the World Cancer Day warns more than half of all countries worldwide are struggling to prevent cancer and provide treatment and chronic care to cancer patients.
The survey revealed that 7.6 million People died from cancer worldwide in 2008 and every year almost 13 million cancer cases are newly diagnosed. And already more than two-thirds of these new cancer cases and deaths occur in developing countries where cancer incidence continues to increase at alarming rates.
Currently many countries do not have a functional cancer control plan that includes prevention, early detection, treatment and care.
Research suggests that currently a third of all cancer deaths are due to modifiable risks including tobacco use, obesity, harmful use of alcohol and infections. If detected early many types of cancer such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer can be successfully cured.
In a statement, Dr Oleg Chestnov, WHO Assistant Director-General for Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit said "Cancer should not be a death sentence anywhere in the world, as there are proven ways to prevent and cure many cancers".
The recent survey on national capacity for non-communicable diseases, which included responses from 185 countries also revealed major gaps in cancer control planning and services. Even if countries developed cancer plans or policies, many countries are struggling to move from commitment to action. Only 17% of the African countries and 27% of the low-income countries have cancer control plans with a budget to support implementation.
World Cancer Day will be observed on 4 February. This year, the campaign focuses on improving general knowledge around cancer and dispelling misconceptions about the disease
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