Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body. When abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, they go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body, and/or spread to other organs.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for around 9.6 million deaths - or one in six of all deaths - every year. The burden of cancer continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems.

At the 70th World Health Assembly, Member States resolved to “integrate and scale up national cancer prevention and control as part of national responses to noncommunicable diseases, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. At the UN General Assembly, Member States have also committed to strengthening efforts to address NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, as part of universal health coverage (UHC). It will be impossible to achieve universal health coverage without acting on cancer, yet many countries around the world still do not include cancer in their UHC benefit packages.

To support the delivery of the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2030, the World Health Assembly has endorsed a 25% relative reduction in the overall mortality from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases. Cancer incidence, by type of cancer and per 100 000 population is an indicator to meet this goal.

Alongside our work on technical guidance and global public health goods, my team has developed several initiatives including the Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer (GICC), the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI). Across WHO, we are also working together on our Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative (CCEI), and on risk factors for cancer through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and our technical packages for alcoholic beverages, ultra-processed foods, air pollution and other issues. 

In the month of both World Cancer Day and International Childhood Cancer Day, this edition of the Newsflash shares some recent work from WHO to improve global outcomes, save lives, and improve livelihoods for people living with, or affected by cancer.

CANCER COUNTRY PROFILES

The NCD Department's Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting Unit have created profiles on the current status of cancer control for every WHO Member States and Regions. 

These profiles establish an updated country baseline and support monitoring toward achieving SDG target 3.4, WHO’s Elimination of Cervical Cancer Initiative as a public health problem and Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.

The profiles include information on the:

• Burden of cancer: including total number of cases and deaths, leading types, risk factors measured by population attributable fractions, and cancer as % of NCD premature deaths;
• Cancer trends: estimated trends for breast and lung cancers; probability of premature death from cancer and projected trends to 2030;
• Investment case: investment requirements and the corresponding number of lives saved;
• Health system capacity: including data on workforce, information systems and devices and technologies;
• Current policy response and service availability: including cancer or NCD prevention and control plans; capacity in cancer early detection, treatment and palliative care; and the current consumption of opioids for pain management; and
• Highlights of progress in WHO global initiatives for cervical and childhood cancers.

NEW IAEA-WHO GUIDANCE ON SETTING UP CANCER CENTRES

Around the world, only 26 per cent of low income countries have public sector pathology services for diagnosing cancer, and only 30 per cent of these countries have cancer treatment services.

A new joint publication, 'Setting up a Cancer Centre: A WHO–IAEA Framework', will help to guide policymakers, programme managers and clinical care providers in setting up and developing cancer treatment facilities in a phased manner. 

The guidance document supports the approach already established under the joint IAEA–WHO publication Roadmap towards a National Cancer Control Programme: Milestones for establishing nuclear medicine, diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy services. Intended to cover multidisciplinary cancer care, the guidance details the infrastructure, human resources and equipment needed for oncological and supportive care services, she said.

To mark this week’s International Childhood Cancer Day, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) presents a new video - available in 11 languages - explaining how our researchers “time-travel” to investigate the origins of childhood cancers!

IARC is proud to you the work led by its Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, in collaboration with partners in several countries worldwide, using large collections of blood samples collected at birth to produce molecular maps of the DNA of new-born babies, before the development of disease. 

BIGGEST FINANCIAL COMMITMENT INTO CHILDHOOD CANCER MEDICINES ACCESS

Each year, an estimated 400 000 children worldwide develop cancer. The majority of children living in low- and middle-income countries are unable to consistently obtain or afford cancer medicines. As a result, nearly 100 000 children die each year. 

Thanks to the largest ever financial commitment for a global effort in childhood cancer medicines from St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we are delighted to launch the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.

The first of its kind, the platform will provide an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines, initially to 12 low- and middle-income countries. St. Jude’s commitment will provide medicines at no cost to countries participating in the pilot phase, with an ambition to reach 50 countries by 2027. It will dramatically increase access to childhood cancer medicines around the world.

THE GLOBAL CANCER OBSERVATORY

The Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) is an interactive web-based platform presenting global cancer statistics to inform cancer control and cancer research. 

The GCO has four core themes:

• Cancer today: Presenting national estimates of the incidence, mortality, and prevalence of 36 cancer types in 185 countries, by sex and age group;
• Cancer over time: Presenting trends of cancer incidence and mortality over the course of over half a century, based on data from 60 countries;
• Cancer tomorrow: Predicting the future cancer incidence and mortality burden worldwide up until 2040.
• Cancer incidence in five continents: Compiling high-quality cancer data from population-based cancer registries around the world.

Childhood cancer survivor and cancer ambassador for WHO/Europe, Aron Anderson, started cancer treatment at age 7. Here he tells us how he got through his 14 surgeries, and chemotherapy and how he kept strong.

A SHORT GUIDE TO CANCER SCREENING

The purpose of cancer screening tests are to detect pre-cancer or early-stage cancer in asymptomatic individuals, so that timely diagnosis and early treatment can be offered. This treatment can then lead to better outcomes for some people.

The aim of a cancer screening programme is either to reduce mortality and morbidity in a population by early detection and early treatment of a cancer (for example, breast screening) or to reduce the incidence of a cancer by identifying and treating its precursors (such as cervical and colorectal screening).

As part of this month’s World Cancer Day, a new short guide has been created by WHO/Europe, as a quick reference that contains the important ideas about cancer screening.

Late last year, cervical cancer survivors, advocates, partners  illuminated the cause to eliminate cervical cancer. Across the globe, communities glowed teal to raise awareness by lighting landmarks in teal, hosting activities to promote cervical cancer elimination, and mobilizing on social media.

Cervical cancer could be the first cancer ever in the world to be eliminated if, by 2030:

• 90% of girls are vaccinated;
• 70% of women are screened;
• 90% of women with cervical disease receive treatment.

NEW ‘RAYS OF HOPE’ INITIATIVE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO RADIOTHERAPY IN AFRICA

"As the global cancer burden continues to rise, low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected in terms of cancer cases and deaths. Recommended interventions for preventing cancer and other NCDs have not been adequately implemented, and treatment remains inaccessible in many parts of the world.

Globally, an estimated half of people diagnosed with cancer may require radiotherapy as part of their care, yet many countries do not have a single radiotherapy machine. The disparity is particularly acute in Africa where nearly 70% of countries reported that radiotherapy is generally not available to their populations. 

The IAEA and WHO have a long-standing collaboration to support Member States to address their cancer burdens. Complementing these ongoing efforts, a new IAEA initiative, Rays of Hope, is being launched to support Member States in providing their people access to diagnosis and treatment of cancer using radiation medicine, beginning with African countries most in need.

Together, and with Rays of Hope adding new impetus, the IAEA and WHO remain committed to upscaling their long-standing close collaboration toward common goals, closing the cancer care inequity gaps and accelerating progress toward the achievement of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development."

A joint statement from Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, IAEA, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO

Dr Isaura Nyusi, First Lady of Mozambique, receives a demonstration of training materials used for breast and cervical cancers. 

The latest in our NCD Stories from the Field focuses on how Mozambique is strengthening its efforts to reduce the cancer burden - you can read it here! 

CHILDHOOD CANCER INEQUITIES: WHY, AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS THEM?

While significant progress has been made in recent years in improving survival and treatment quality for children with cancer, significant inequalities still exist across the WHO European Region.

A new WHO/Europe report draws together available evidence and information from a wide range of published sources to present the case for an increased focus on addressing inequalities in childhood cancer within the Region. It summarizes literature in four main areas:

• the childhood cancer continuum;
• inequalities across countries;
• inequalities within countries; and
• childhood cancer as a driver of inequalities.

The report makes recommendations on the key steps that are likely to have the greatest impact in reducing inequalities across the region. It is hoped that these will be of value to decision-makers and politicians from all countries within the Region looking to address existing inequalities in childhood cancer care through targeted improvement activities.

Sapna and many other cancer patients, take an eight hour overnight train journey in order to reach a hospital where treatment is affordable. The region has seen such a fast growing number of cancer patients that it is known as the 'cancer capital' of India. Studies indicate excessive use of pesticides on food crops as the leading cause.

“The journey of hope” tells the true story of Sapna, a 10-year-old girl living below the poverty line in North-West India who suffers from leukemia. This short film won a "GRAND PRIX" at the 2nd WHO Health for All Film Festival. 

NEW TRAINING ON DIAGNOSING CHILDHOOD CANCER IN THE AMERICAS

To strengthen the health system response to childhood cancer, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are collaborating with the Ministries of Health, pediatric oncologists, and foundations to develop National Childhood Cancer Plans within the framework of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. 

As part of International Childhood Cancer Day, PAHO/AMRO have also created a virtual course on the early diagnosis of cancer in children and adolescents (Spanish only), providing a framework for health workers to strengthen their capacities, and a new series of modules on paediatric palliative care.

CAMPAIGNING ON CANCER IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Cancer causes almost 459 000 deaths every year in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Over the past five years, there were around 1.6 million cancer cases in the Region. This places a continuous burden that exerts tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families and communities. 

Almost 734 000 individuals are diagnosed with cancer every year and in 2040 it is predicted that the number of people being diagnosed will be about 50% higher.

The resources include a regional framework for action on cancer prevention and control, designed to scale up guidance to countries and support the implementation of the regional framework for action to implement resolution WHA70.12 on cancer prevention and control, in the context of an integrated approach.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2022 AWARDS 

WHO is calling for nominations to the World No Tobacco Day Awards of individuals or organizations in all WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.

The nominee must have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the policies and measures contained in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its guidelines, particularly in relation to the theme of World No Tobacco Day.

The nominee may have: 

• set a meritorious (or distinctive) example for others in the tobacco control movement;
• overcome a big obstacle in achieving the objective for which he or she is considered worthy of a World No Tobacco Day award;
• demonstrated outstanding leadership or commitment or been particularly innovative in his or her approach to tobacco control;
• brought particular resources or knowledge or expertise to bear on tobacco control
• made an outstanding contribution to tobacco control as part of the SDGs.

The nominee can be an individual or a collective (e.g., an NGO devoted to tobacco control) or a government department/Ministry that has made outstanding contribution to tobacco control.

Why does WHO consider air pollution a public health emergency? If you live in highly polluted areas does COVID-19 affect you differently? WHO’s Dr Maria Neira explains in our latest Science in 5!  

OUR NEW LOOK

As part of efforts to improve WHO communications, this edition of the NCD Newsflash comes from our new platform, Campaign Monitor! We appreciate your patience as we refine this new template, and you can share your feedback at the link below.

THE TWEETS WE RETWEET

• The European Parliament has adopted its final recommendations for a comprehensive & coordinated EU strategy to fight cancer - follow the hashtag #EUCancerPlan (February 2022)
• Learn more about childhood cancer with our 'at a glance' threads (February 2022)