DILI, 04 february 2025 (TATOLI) – WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Saima Wazed has warned that the region will face an 85% increase in cancer cases and deaths by 2050.
Wazed made the announcement ahead of World Cancer Day, which is observed annually on February 4.
WHO South-East Asia Region had 2.4 million new cases of cancer in 2022, including 56,000 children, and 1.5 million deaths.
“Among all the WHO regions, our Region had the highest number of cancers of lips and oral cavity, uterine cervix, and childhood cancers. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be 85% increase in the number of new cases and deaths in the Region,” Wazed said in a statement.
WHO reported that despite this concerning projection, several countries in the region have made notable progress in cancer control.
“Six countries have dedicated national plans for cancer control, and two countries have included cancer as part of national NCD plan to strategically guide the cancer prevention and control activities. Eight countries have introduced nationwide Human Papillomavirus vaccination. Global initiative for childhood cancer is being implemented in ten countries through a regional network of institutions. Seven countries have operational population-based cancer registries. In ten countries, tertiary level cancer care is generally available, reaching 50 percent or more patients in need,” the statement reads.
Wazed said that despite this progress, challenges remain: “The response to cancer control is not uniform among countries. National cancer control programs and plans are not fully aligned with evidence or best practices resulting in their ineffective implementation. Policies and guidance on control of cancer-causing agents prevalent in the Region, such as areca nut, is lacking. Existing cancer prevention policies and programs are not fully implemented, leading to millions of avoidable cases.”
“To overcome challenges through a contextualized, evidence-based approach, WHO worked with Member States and partners in co-creating the WHO South-East Asia Regional Strategy for comprehensive cancer prevention and management 2024-2030, implementation of which was approved at the seventy-seventh Regional Committee. The strategy highlights the importance of a people-centered approach, placing individuals and communities at the heart of health systems, including cancer care,” Wazed explained.
WHO will also continue to work with countries in their efforts to reduce the care gap in collaboration with other UN agencies and development partners. Additionally, partnership will be strengthened with communities, civil societies, private sector and other stakeholders. It is only with joint effort led by governments, supported by WHO and partners, and through collaboration that we will be better equipped to tackle the rising cancer burden.
TATOLI
