APAC WCC Urges Action on Breast and Cervical Cancer
Written by Susi, Arushi Sharma
The APAC Women's Cancer Coalition (WCC) raises a compelling call to action, urging immediate attention to the pressing challenges posed by breast and cervical cancer in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to an APAC WCC study, Asia Pacific has a high risk of breast and cervical cancer. Targeted interventions can help to accelerate development and accord with WHO goals.
A research sponsored by Roche identifies gaps and potential in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Breast and cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Asia are expected to climb. Lower-income nations have poorer outcomes owing to challenges with knowledge, stigma, and access.
“The report highlights discrepancies in the region with respect to national readiness to tackle women’s cancers. The development of the Women’s Cancer Coalition provides an opportunity to trial various approaches towards prevention and control that can inform both national and regional cancer control strategies,” said Dr Heather White, Executive Director, TogetHER for Health, a founding member of the APAC WCC.
WHO has launched projects such as the Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy and the Global Breast Cancer Initiative.
The APAC WCC encourages Asia Pacific States to capitalize on the potential for advancement indicated in the report in order to meet WHO objectives.
Dr Somesh Kumar, Country Director, Jhpiego India & Senior Director of Technical Leadership and Innovations said,
“Women’s cancer is a multi-dimensional challenge, both for health systems as well as for societies. With commitments from both the public and private sectors and the availability of new technologies, screening for women’s cancers can take place earlier and more equitably, lifting prevention efforts in the Asia region to the next level.”
Breast and cervical cancer’s socioeconomic impact justifies government funding.
Six countries’ funding lags behind global averages, indicating need for improvement. Report assessed domains—policy, prevention, diagnostics, treatment, awareness—revealing existing initiatives. However, public sectors lack key diagnostic tools and face access challenges in remote areas.
Ahmed Elhusseiny, Area Head, Roche Pharmaceuticals Asia Pacific said,
“The critical health risks confronting women in the APAC region are undeniable. As part of the overall commitment to addressing the issue, the Asia-Pacific’s Women’s Cancer Coalition has initiated a focused report, delineating clear paths to tackle breast and cervical cancer.
The findings show that countries must prioritise women’s health by strengthening political will, establishing robust plans and measures, enhancing screening and prevention efforts, and tailoring approaches to improve equitable access. It will also be crucial to work together to build capacity and funding as well as raise awareness as part of a comprehensive and patient-centric approach, to achieve the WHO’s targets for breast cancer and the elimination of cervical cancer.”
The report suggests several actions to help countries meet WHO cervical and breast cancer targets:
1. Develop registries to monitor immunization, screening, and patient outcomes.
2. Speed up HPV immunization and universal cancer screening.
3. Prioritize women’s cancers in national policies to reach immunization, screening, and treatment goals.
4. Implement sustainable funding models with government and global funding bodies.
5. Ensure clear referral and treatment pathways for diagnosed individuals.
Lance Little, Head of Region Asia Pacific, Roche Diagnostics said,
“The case for investment and action to tackle the alarming trends in women’s cancers is apparent from this report. Through a collective approach from partners throughout the healthcare ecosystem, we can address the gaps and issues highlighted. This progress will create a positive impact for the hundreds of thousands of women in our region already living with cancer, and hopefully help us to protect many more women from the threat of cancer in years to come.”