Developing Comprehensive National Cancer Control Programs in Iraq Focusing on the Leading Cancers

Al Alwan, Nada A. S.

doi:10.52573/ipmj.2023.182257

	Developing Comprehensive National Cancer Control Programs in Iraq Focusing on the Leading Cancers
Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal
Editorial, Volume 22, Issue 4, October 2023, Pages 368-371 PDF (151.73 K)
DOI: 10.52573/ipmj.2023.182257
Author
Nada A. S. Al Alwan^*
Baghdad University Medical College Oncology Teaching Hospital, Medical City Currently, Visiting Professor, Oxford University
Abstract
Cancer, the leading cause of death worldwide, is emerging as a major public health challenge of this era ⁽¹⁾. Currently there are over 50 million people living with cancer all over the world with an estimated 10 million dying annually from the disease; nearly 70% are from developing countries ⁽²⁾. Cancer incidence and mortality rates will continue to rise owing to demographic changes associated with population growth and aging ^(3);the highest are likely to be registered in low- and middle-income communities for reasons attributed to lifestyle modification, urbanization, exposure to carcinogens and limited resources for diagnosis and treatment ⁽⁴⁾. The financial, physical and emotional strains on cancer patients and their families yield a considerable economic impact specifically when the disparities in access to care within the weak health systems lead to advanced stages at cancer presentations, prolonged disability and premature deaths ⁽⁵⁾. According to the latest global cancer statistics (1,2), breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy worldwide (11.7%), surpassing lung cancer (11.4%) and followed by colorectal (10%), prostate (7.3%) and stomach cancers (5.6%). On the other hand, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality (18%), followed by colorectal (9.4%), liver (8.3%) stomach (7.7%) and breast cancers (6.9%).

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