Last February 4 was the World Cancer Day and with this, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report that detecting cancer in its early stage saves more lives. More than that, it was also proved that it can also save a lot of money compared to later detection.
WHO revealed that around 8.8 million people die from cancer annually and one of the leading causes is because it's usually diagnosed too late. In order to avoid worsening the situation especially in developing nations, WHO devised a guide on how cancer can be detected and diagnosed earlier in three steps:
First, improve public awareness of different cancer symptoms and encourage people to seek care when these arise. Second, Invest in strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics and third eEnsure people living with cancer can access safe and effective treatment, including pain relief, without incurring prohibitive personal or financial hardship.
With this, WHO encourages all member states to prioritize giving free or subsidized consultations in health institutions. WHO noted that through the years, more and more people are becoming hesitant to go for consultation because of the costs and WHO doesn't want to compromise the health of citizens just because of this hindrance.
WHO also noted that through early diagnosis, treatment costs would be avoided. Based on its 2010 statistics, cancer treatments can amount to USD 1.16 trillion annually, but with early detection and prevention, these expensive treatments can be avoided.
In another news by CNN, unnecessary treatments caused by overdiagnosis can also amount to even higher costs just like in the case brought by mammograms among breast cancer patients. WHO and other institutions just reminded the public to take advantage of annual exams, second opinions, and research on their own to avoid overdiagnosis.
With the strengthened efforts to address the sustainable development goals, WHO together with other organizations work together in achieving all SDGs before 2030. Cancer causes 1 out of 6 deaths in the world and WHO is continuously doing its best to find strategies that would efficiently address this problem.
