Geneva, World Cancer Congress 2024 – A critical session titled Earlier, Faster, Better: Doing More of What We Know Works! was held during the World Cancer Congress 2024, highlighting innovative solutions to accelerate access to cancer screening, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. The session, sponsored by Roche and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), was chaired by Sonali Johnson, Head of Knowledge, Advocacy, and Policy at UICC, Switzerland. The gathering brought together global leaders and experts to address significant challenges and opportunities in transforming cancer care systems.
Keynote Presentation: Tackling the Global Access Crisis
The session opened with a keynote address by Dan Milner, representing Access to Oncology Medicines (VICC), Switzerland. Milner highlighted the pressing need to improve access to oncology medicines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where many patients are diagnosed too late for effective treatment. His presentation emphasized that delays in diagnosis and treatment are driving up mortality rates and treatment costs, widening global health inequities.
Milner shared insights from various studies underscoring the importance of early diagnosis in cancer survival. He stressed that providing patients with earlier access to evidence-based screening and treatments could dramatically improve outcomes and lower healthcare costs. His call to action centered around strengthening global health systems to ensure that timely cancer care becomes a reality for all.
Panel Discussion: Global Perspectives on Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Following the keynote, the session transitioned into a dynamic panel discussion. Murallitharan Munisamy from the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), Partha Basu from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Michael Oberreiter from Roche, and Li-Ju Lin from Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare brought diverse perspectives on how to achieve earlier diagnosis and better access to treatment.
Dr. Murallitharan highlighted Malaysia’s efforts to scale up nationwide cancer screening programs. He detailed the country’s innovative use of mobile clinics and digital tools to reach underserved populations, reducing barriers to screening and early intervention.
Partha Basu, representing IARC, emphasized the need for evidence-based policies that prioritize prevention and early detection. He discussed how data from research could be used to build more effective, targeted cancer control strategies, focusing on populations at high risk of late-stage diagnosis.
Michael Oberreiter from Roche shared insights on the role of the private sector in advancing cancer care innovations. He underscored Roche’s commitment to developing diagnostic tools and treatments that can be deployed more quickly and affordably, particularly in low-resource settings. His contribution showcased the importance of public-private partnerships in driving health system improvements.
Li-Ju Lin, from Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, provided a government policy perspective, sharing Taiwan’s successes in implementing universal health coverage (UHC) that includes comprehensive cancer screening and early treatment. Lin emphasized that policies supporting health equity are essential to meeting the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building resilient health systems.
The Need for Innovation and Policy Action
Throughout the session, a clear message emerged: innovation in technology, policy, and service delivery is key to transforming global cancer care. The panelists highlighted that current efforts to improve early cancer detection and treatment are still insufficient. Structural barriers, such as unequal access to healthcare, must be dismantled to achieve universal health coverage and equitable cancer care for all.
The session concluded with a strong call for governments and health organizations to prioritize investment in early detection, ensure equitable access to lifesaving treatments, and foster collaborations between public health, civil society, and the private sector.
By the end of the discussion, it was clear that while progress has been made, much more needs to be done to accelerate cancer prevention, detection, and treatment efforts globally. This session at the World Cancer Congress 2024 provided an essential platform for stakeholders to collaborate and drive forward policies that can save lives and reduce cancer’s global burden.
