Women in the Eastern Mediterranean region face significant challenges when it comes to dealing with various types of cancers. Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, Founder and Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance (EM-NCDA), shed light on the prevalent types of women’s cancers in the region, including breast, colorectal, cervical, ovarian, and liver cancers. These cancers pose a serious public health concern due to limited access to screening programs, societal barriers, and cultural beliefs that hinder early diagnosis and treatment.
One of the key factors contributing to the rise in cancer diagnoses in the EMR is the population growth and aging. With people living longer, the overall risk of cancer increases, especially in older age groups. Changing lifestyles, such as poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, tobacco use, and pollution exposure, also play a role in the increasing cancer burden. Additionally, limited access to healthcare services in many parts of the region further complicates early detection and treatment of cancer, leading to more advanced stages and lower survival rates.
Despite efforts to reduce tobacco use, many countries in the Middle East still have high rates of smoking, which is a major contributor to the rising cancer burden. Tobacco use is linked to various types of cancer, including those of the mouth, throat, lungs, and bladder. Moreover, prolonged periods of conflict and war in countries like Sudan, Syria, Libya, and Iraq have further exacerbated the situation by causing population displacement, disruption of healthcare systems, and an increase in poverty and starvation, all of which contribute to the development and difficulty in treating cancer.
In comparison to other regions of the world, the EMR is expected to see a higher number of new cancer diagnoses and deaths. This higher cancer burden can be attributed to various factors, such as limited access to healthcare services, cultural beliefs that hinder early detection and treatment, as well as the prevalence of risk factors like tobacco use and obesity. Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts from governments, healthcare providers, and non-governmental organizations to implement robust tobacco control laws, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
Dr. Fadhil also highlighted the importance of advocacy, capacity building, awareness programs, and collaboration in advancing the agenda for women’s cancer care in the EMR. The EM-NCDA is hosting an event titled “Uniting Voices for Action on Women’s Cancers in the EMR” to mobilize stakeholders and amplify women’s voices in the fight against cancer. By working together towards these goals, it is possible to make significant strides in improving cancer outcomes and reducing the burden of women’s cancers in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
