Recognizing World Cancer Day — I am and I will
Every year, February 4th is recognized as world cancer day across the globe. The theme of this year’s campaign was “I am and I will”; to act now and come together to create a future without cancer. It is becoming increasingly important for all countries to recognize world cancer day, as it is “the only day on the global health calendar where we can all unite and rally under the one banner of cancer in a positive and inspiring way.”
Cancer is emerging to be a priority on the global health agenda, as part of an overall increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases, or NCDs. NCDs are primarily classified by cardiorespiratory disease, diabetes, COPD, and cancer, and are classified by the WHO as one of the top 10 threats to Global Health in 2019.
Cancer remains the leading cause of death for children, especially for those children living in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
LMICs have less than 5% of the global resources and are responsible for a mere 6.2% of worldwide cancer spending (1). Due to this inequity, a child diagnosed with cancer in an LMIC has a 5–40% chance of survival based upon the classification of cancer, compared to an 80% survival rate in high-income countries. According to the WHO, this inequity can be attributed to lack of diagnostic infrastructure, high cost of treatment, and lack of specialized professionals.
Historically, childhood cancer has not been a priority on the global health agenda, but due to initiatives like World Cancer Day, and other influential projects such as Sick Kids Caribbean Initiative, PERCC, research, and work being conducted by PIH Canada, there is an increase in advocacy and resources being driven to LMICs. As part of their efforts to address NCDs, PIH Canada supports the advancement of cancer care in Rwanda and Haiti by providing early detection, prevention, and treatment services. Since the beginning of PIH oncology program, 4,000 cancer patients have been able to access treatments.
In addition to these efforts at the front line, on September 28 2018, during the UN General Assembly and Third High-level Meeting on NCDs, childhood cancer was addressed for the first time through the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer to obtain a minimum of 60% survival rate for children with cancer by 2030. This would result in an additional one million lives saved and doubling the global survival rate. This initiative is working to (1) increase the awareness of childhood cancer at the global and national level and (2) to expand the capacity of best practice care.
It is evident that there is a global call to action for advancements in childhood cancer infrastructure, resources, and treatment. These organizations are global cancer advocates and they will continue to work to close this inequitable gap so all children across the world have access to cancer care.
(1) Rodriguez-Galindo et al., 2015
About the author:
Sarah Grace Bebenek holds a Masters of Science in Global Health from McMaster University and has a background in NCDs through the completion of a childhood cancer research project and serving on the executive committee for Meagan’s Walk. Sarah Grace is currently working as a health policy analyst in Toronto with a passion for creating sustainable and equitable health care across the world. Get in touch at sgbebenek@gmail.com
