Cancer Control in the 21st Century: Global Challenges Demand Collective Solutions

Abstract

Cancer emerges as one of the main global health threats in the 21st century, 35 million new cases are expected until 2050. Mortality, however, is distributed unfairly: while high income countries exhibit high incidence, low and middle income countries as Brazil present elevated mortality rates, exposing problems of access and effectiveness of health systems in these regions. The high costs of new treatments is another challenge because these innovations are not an “universal solution” and strengthen the necessity of a social reflection and pursue of a new funding and assistance model focused to partnerships and accessibility. It is crucial to redesign the logic of health care, prioritizing the patient and integrated planning of oncologic attention utilizing data and systems based on interoperability to optimize prevention and cancer control. Fight against cancer demands collective and purposeful action. Strategic and bioethical decisions involving all social players are fundamental to prioritize prevention, early detection and equitable access to effective treatments.