Global health leaders have called for urgent action to improve access to breast cancer treatment and care in resource-limited settings, following a high-level workshop held at the World Cancer Congress (WCC) in Geneva last September.
The workshop, titled Advancing Breast Cancer Treatment and Care in Resource-Limited Settings, was organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI). It brought together 54 participants from 33 countries, including government officials, healthcare professionals, and civil society leaders, to strategise on expanding access to essential breast cancer treatment.
A central theme of the discussion was achieving GBCI’s target of ensuring at least 80% of breast cancer patients receive and complete recommended treatment without abandonment. The initiative aims to reduce global breast cancer mortality by 2.5% per year, potentially saving 2.5 million lives by 2040.
Dr. Mary Nyangasi, Technical Officer at WHO and lead of the GBCI, underscored the stark disparities in survival rates between high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
“Where you live should not determine if you live. We have all the tools we need to revolutionize access to breast cancer treatment everywhere and save lives,” Nyangasi said.
The discussions built upon findings from a previous WCC workshop in 2022, which focused on early detection and timely diagnosis. This year’s session explored how to overcome barriers to access and affordability in treatment, covering surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and palliative care.
Speakers at the workshop highlighted persistent challenges that limit access to breast cancer care, including the high cost of medicines, inadequate diagnostic systems, and systemic inefficiencies. Shalini Jayasekar Zürn, Senior Advocacy Manager at UICC, emphasised that partnerships like the ATOM Coalition could help address these inequities by strengthening supply chains and infrastructure for essential medicines in LMICs.
A key takeaway from the session was the critical role of patient navigation programmes. These initiatives help guide patients through complex healthcare systems, ensuring they receive timely information and support to complete their treatment. Experts noted that patient navigation could significantly improve screening rates, reduce delays in diagnosis, and enhance overall treatment outcomes.
A panel featuring Dr. Miriam Mutebi (President, AORTIC), Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala (Founding President, ICANSERVE Foundation), and Dr. Julie Gralow (Chief Medical Officer, ASCO) reinforced the need for education and advocacy in breast cancer care. Panellists emphasized that increasing awareness of early symptoms and screening could empower women to seek care sooner and adhere to treatment plans.
In addition, culturally sensitive screening programs were highlighted as a means to boost acceptance and effectiveness in diverse communities. Experts also stressed the importance of engaging men in breast cancer discussions to foster supportive environments for women undergoing treatment.
“Community-based support networks can provide emotional and practical assistance to patients, which is vital in ensuring adherence to treatment,” Gralow said.
Technology also emerged as a promising tool to bridge gaps in cancer care. Digital health solutions, including telemedicine consultations, mobile health interventions, and online educational resources, could enhance patient access to medical advice and follow-up care, particularly in remote areas.
As breast cancer cases continue to rise globally, particularly in low-income nations, the workshop underscored the need for sustained investment in research and policy reforms tailored to local healthcare realities. African nations, in particular, were identified as regions where targeted research could drive significant improvements in outcomes.
The discussions at WCC 2024 reinforced a global consensus: addressing breast cancer inequities requires a multi-pronged approach that includes policy action, community engagement, and technological innovation. For millions of women worldwide, the outcome of these efforts could mean the difference between life and death.
The situation in Malaysia exemplifies the challenges discussed at the workshop. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women, accounting for 34.1% of all cancer cases nationwide. In 2018, at least 7,593 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 2,894 succumbed to the disease that year.
A concerning trend is the high percentage of late-stage diagnoses. Between 2012 and 2016, 47.9% of breast cancer cases in Malaysia were diagnosed at Stage III or IV, stages associated with lower survival rates.
Additionally, Malaysian women are being diagnosed at younger ages compared to Western countries. Approximately 13.6% of breast cancer cases in Malaysia occur in women under the age of 40, in contrast to about 5% in the United States.
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