The World Cancer Declaration: time to consolidate wins and work towards 2025

• Published in: The lancet oncology 2021-03, Vol.22 (3), p.296-298
• Main Authors: Johnson, Sonali, Tittenbrun, Zuzanna, Romero, Yannick, Torode, Julie, Frech, Silvina, Abdel-Wahab, May, Juric, Arsen, Stevens, Lisa, Bray, Freddie, Piñeros, Marion, Cleary, James, Mattfeld, Elizabeth, Ilbawi, André, Mikkelsen, Bente
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical Research - standards; Cancer; Collaboration; COVID-19; Disease prevention; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Evidence-Based Medicine; Global Health; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Health services; Hepatitis B; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Low income groups; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Opioids; Organizational Objectives; Outdoor air quality; Palliative care; Physical activity; Practice Guidelines as Topic - standards; Risk factors; Tobacco; United Nations
• ISSN: 1470-2045; 1474-5488
• DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00012-7

There is some optimism with respect to national rollout of hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus vaccines3 and progressive implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; in 2019, about 65% of the world's population was covered by at least one MPOWER measure, up from only 15% in 2007.4 MPOWER measures assist in the country level implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Yet, alcohol use is growing in some regions, obesity rates in children are rising alarmingly, and more than 80% of adolescents (aged 11–17 years) surveyed in 2016 did not reach WHO's global recommendations for physical activity.5 If these risk factors continue to manifest in younger populations, a corresponding increase in the number of related cases of cancer and other non-communicable diseases would be expected, alongside the additional burden placed on health services. Only 50% of countries report having palliative care within their national non-communicable disease policy and almost 85% of the world's population still do not have adequate access to opioid medications for pain control.9 A holistic approach to cancer care, with strong community engagement, including with people living with non-communicable diseases, to inform pragmatic, evidence-based, locally adapted solutions in expanding service coverage and ensuring equity in access to treatment, is required.