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How to reduce the impact of cervical cancer worldwide: Gaps and priority areas identified through the essential cancer and primary care packages: An analysis of effective interventions
Author(s) -
Gatti Alessandra,
Haruyama Rei,
Elit Laurie,
Howard Scott C.,
Lam Catherine G.,
Ilbawi Andre,
Angioli Roberto,
Cao Xueyuan,
Fidarova Elena
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.33116
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , cervical cancer , cancer , environmental health , essential medicines , health care , developing country , disease burden , family medicine , gerontology , public health , nursing , economic growth , population , economics
Background Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer; therefore, countries should provide strategic, evidence‐based health services to reduce its incidence and impact on their populations. Two packages of health services that group together all the services related to cervical cancer, the Essential Cancer Package (9 interventions) and the Primary Care Package (5 interventions), are defined in this article with the aim of assessing the global status of the availability of health services and their coverage in 194 countries worldwide. Methods The study was based on the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) Noncommunicable Disease Country Capacity Survey. Although the survey covered multiple noncommunicable diseases, this report examined only those results pertaining to cervical cancer in the 194 WHO member states divided by WHO region and World Bank income. Results Only 21% of the countries reported providing all 9 interventions of the Essential Cancer Package, with the highest proportions being found in Europe (45.3%) and among high‐income countries (HICs; 54.3%). As for the Primary Care Package, only 19.1% of countries provided all 5 interventions, with the highest proportions being found in Europe (39.6%) and among HICs (45.5%). Conclusions The complete development and appropriate coverage of each service listed in both the Essential Cancer Package and the Primary Care Package are essential to reduce the impact of cervical cancer worldwide, and they should be integrated into all cancer control planning efforts.