Making the Best Use of Resources in Global Cancer Care

2020 ◽  
pp. e361-e366
Author(s):  
Juan Gago ◽  
Dinesh Pendharkar ◽  
Chandramauli Tripathi ◽  
Ophira Ginsburg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Cancer Diagnostics ◽  
Cancer Health Disparities ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Public Health Challenges

Inequitable access to high-quality cancer control and care remains one of the greatest public health challenges in countries at all resource levels. Core issues include the limited oncology health care workforce and equitable access to affordable (essential) cancer diagnostics, medicines, surgery, systemic therapies, and radiotherapy, compounded by existing social inequalities. To reduce cancer health disparities globally and subnationally, countries can enhance their capabilities to deliver high-quality, affordable care closer to where most people live. Decentralization and integration of health services can be part of the solution, offloading the strained capacity of tertiary facilities where possible and expanding cadres of trained providers to support some aspects of cancer prevention and control that require a lesser degree of specialization. The strategy to eliminate cervical cancer provides a salient example of a data-driven effort that optimizes resources to dramatically reduce one of the greatest cancer health disparities globally. Here, we highlight two responses to meet the challenge through greater engagement of the primary care workforce and by adoption of universal health care coverage to ensure access to cancer prevention.

scholarly journals An Overview of Cancer Health Disparities: New Approaches and Insights and Why They Matter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsion Zewdu Minas ◽  
Maeve Kiely ◽  
Anuoluwapo Ajao ◽  
Stefan Ambs
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Disparities ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Cancer Health Disparities

Abstract Cancer health disparities remain stubbornly entrenched in the US health care system. The Affordable Care Act was legislation to target these disparities in health outcomes. Expanded access to health care, reduction in tobacco use, uptake of other preventive measures and cancer screening, and improved cancer therapies greatly reduced cancer mortality among women and men and underserved communities in this country. Yet, disparities in cancer outcomes remain. Underserved populations continue to experience an excessive cancer burden. This burden is largely explained by health care disparities, lifestyle factors, cultural barriers, and disparate exposures to carcinogens and pathogens, as exemplified by the COVID-19 epidemic. However, research also shows that comorbidities, social stress, ancestral and immunobiological factors, and the microbiome, may contribute to health disparities in cancer risk and survival. Recent studies revealed that comorbid conditions can induce an adverse tumor biology, leading to a more aggressive disease and decreased patient survival. In this review, we will discuss unanswered questions and new opportunities in cancer health disparity research related to comorbid chronic diseases, stress signaling, the immune response, and the microbiome, and what contribution these factors may have as causes of cancer health disparities.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Capacity of Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment: A Demand and Supply Survey of Health-Care Facilities in Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327481988693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis W. Wambalaba ◽  
Barbara Son ◽  
Akosa E. Wambalaba ◽  
Dorothy Nyong’o ◽  
Anyang’ Nyong’o
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Cancer Diagnostics ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Local Perception ◽  
Care Facilities

The cancer incidence burden is expected to rise to over 85% in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.1 This alarming trend underscores the need to develop evidence-based interventions that can effectively handle this volatile epidemic. The evidence generation entails the collection of adequate information on burden, pattern, and prevalence of cancer relative to capacity to promote effective decision-making. Accordingly, this study documents the prevalence and types of cancer in Kenya (demand side) and to determine the diagnostic and treatment capacity of the various health facilities to handle cancer cases (supply side). To investigate demand and supply factors for cancer control, the study surveyed 7 of the 47 counties in Kenya during 2013 to 2014. It sampled 1048 patients with cancer records and 12 health-care facilities. The study found that the most frequent age for female patients was at age 52, while for men was at age 62. The most prevalent cancer in women was breast cancer and cancer of the cervix, while for men was cancer of the esophagus and prostate. It was also found that children and rural populations were more vulnerable than it was thought, hence defying the local perception that cancer inflicts only adults and those in urban areas. Accessing cancer screening and treatment was one of the major hurdles as most cancer care services in Kenya were concentrated within a 5-km radius of each other in Nairobi. The limited capacity with respect to diagnosis and treatment has implications to issues of access, proximity, and availability. It is critical that policy makers and practitioners closely review the current public and individual perceptions about the cancer problems and mitigation strategies.

scholarly journals Strategies Are Required for Strengthening Integration of Cancer Control Program in Ethiopia Primary Health Care System

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 84s-84s
Author(s):  
Z.M. Abate
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Cancer Control Program ◽  
Care System

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next 2 decades. Approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. This growing cancer burden requires innovative approaches to place cancer control and care within existing health systems, while resources should be amalgamated to optimize cost-effective use. Neglect of cancer prevention and care leads to unnecessary death, suffering, and unaffordable treatment. Thus, extension of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to millions of people with or at risk for cancer is an urgent priority. Integrating cancer prevention and management into primary health care system will tackle cancer-specific priorities while addressing the gaps within the health system, optimizing the use of resources, ensures access to the community and improving coverage. According to World Health Organization regardless of resource level, all countries can implement basic components of cancer control. In the light of the rapidly increasing global cancer burden, it is becoming essential to use the limited resources available in the most effective way. In resource-constrained countries like Ethiopia without specialized services, experience has shown that much can be done to prevent and treat cancer. A strategy to integrated approach thus addresses health problems by providing services in a comprehensive manner. Aim: The purpose of this study is to make a document analysis to assess the requirement of developing strategies for strengthening integration of cancer control program in primary health care system (PHCS). Methods: Document analysis. Results: The Ethiopian National Cancer Control Program unlike most low resource countries planned with necessary implementation cost. The cancer control plan despite its presence usually lack integration in existing health system. There is a variation and significant gaps in the current state of comprehensive cancer control. Conclusion: The country requires strategies to ensure that this plan translated into fully operational interventions. Country specific approaches of integration are required. Integrated framework for cancer prevention is critical to make the most efficient use of its meager resources. This study recommends Ethiopia to develop tailored strategies to strengthen integrated and people-centered cancer control program in its primary health care system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document