Equity Report World Cancer Day

For some, the disparities are far greater –at least half of the world’s population still cannot access essential health services.

For some, the injustices speak even more loudly – around 90% of new cervical cancer cases and mortalities occur in lowand middle-income countries.

And for some population groups, such as women and girls and people with disability, the barriers to accessing cancer care are compounded, leading to poorer cancer outcomes.

For refugee populations, cancer is more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage; in New Zealand, Māori are twice as likely to die from cancer as non-Māori; and globally, older populations face disproportionate barriers to effective and personalised treatment, with some 70% of global cancer deaths occurring in people aged 65 or older.

The reality is if you have cancer, who you are and where you live could mean the difference between life and death.

To understand the impact of this reality, the World Cancer Day Equity Report provides local perspectives and experiences from past and present UICC Board Members on inequities in cancer care in their respective countries and regions.

They also offer solutions as to how the gaps can be closed by 2030 to achieve health equity.

Throughout UICC’s 90-year history, equity has been a red thread woven through the very fabric of the organisation and its efforts to unite the global cancer community to fight cancer.

Together as a community, we are building a future where every person, everywhere, can access quality cancer care.