In the recent years, many health care providers have been sounding the alarm for the importance of prevention of many types of cancer. In Greece, it is estimated that about 1/3 of cancers could have been prevented (linkable: Health insurance is prevention) through routine examinations, information, and public awareness. Globally, the World Health Organization figures are shocking for the disease over the next two decades, as it is predicted that especially in low- and middle-income countries, the incidence will increase by up to 81%.
The World Health Organization estimates that the large increase in the number of people suffering from some form of cancer in these countries is due to the lack of the resources available for the prevention and diagnosis. This potentially can reflect the situation in Greece with its citizens in the last decade having significantly reduced the preventive examinations due to a partial loss in their income. It is no coincidence that about 4% of the population in Greece lives in poverty due to the high expenses related to health issues.
The numbers speak for themselves, except that there are always people behind them. 30,000 people die every year from the incurable disease in our country. According to the Hellenic Society of Surgical Oncology, cancer is the leading cause of death, causing 27% of life loss in the general population and 38% in those under 65 years of age.
Awakening message: Cancer should not be a death sentence for anyone, anywhere
“This is a wake-up call to all of us to tackle the unacceptable inequalities between cancer services in rich and poor countries,” says Dr Ren Minghui, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/ Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization
“If people have access to primary care and referral systems then cancer can be detected early, treated effectively and cured. Cancer should not be a death sentence for anyone, anywhere.”
At least 7 million lives could be saved over the next decade, by identifying the most appropriate science for each country situation, by basing strong cancer responses on universal health coverage, and by mobilizing different stakeholders to work together,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. ( https://iarc.spherical.horse/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/pr279_E.pdf )
