Analysis Finds Low-Income Countries Face More Cancer-Related Deaths and Inequities in Therapy Access

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According to a recent analysis published in Cancer, there are evident disparities in the cost and availability of cancer drugs across different regions of the globe. Significant gaps are present between high- and low-income countries.¹

Despite progress and developments within the field, cancer continues to be a significant challenge for health care systems. These advancements have significant financial implications depending on the country or region, with lower-income countries being disproportionately affected.²

The goal of the Cancer review was to explore the current state of drug development while assessing the availability of these drugs in countries with different incomes. Additionally, the investigators proposed potential solutions to address the new cancer treatment access inequalities based on the findings.²

The review gathered data based on search results conducted on MEDLINE and PubMed on October 2, 2023. Research written in English was included. The study determined that there is a projected rise in worldwide cancer cases, notably in lower-income countries. These countries are also where most deaths related to cancer are often expected. The analysis predicts that there will be an estimated 28.4 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2040 alone. Cancer mortality rates continue to increase in low-income countries, but have plateaued in developed countries.^1,2

Despite the increased approval rate of cancer treatments, the high costs and lack of affordability continue to create significant barriers to widespread access. Specifically, the research indicated that the inequities in access to therapy, the lack of proper preventative cancer screening, persistent carcinogenic risk factors, and inadequate health care infrastructure are the biggest contributors to the higher incidences of cancer and cancer-related mortality rates. Further, the study investigators found that health care professionals’ understanding of cancer and its optimal treatments are primarily based on research conducted in high-income countries. Residents may differ compared with individuals in middle- and low-income countries.^1,2

Additionally, the investigators also saw that economics were often a major challenge for optimal cancer care worldwide. Newer cancer drugs, such as immunotherapy medications, may cost thousands of dollars more per year compared with standard chemotherapy. Low-income countries also spend less of their total gross domestic product on cancer care compared with high-income countries; however, these countries often pay more for the same essential cancer drugs.¹

As far as solutions, the authors suggested that sharing production secrets, implementing price discrimination, international funding, improved primary health care measures, and the implementation of cost-effective screening methods may be beneficial. With these in place, the inequities within drug distribution may be addressed. The authors emphasized that preventing, screening for, and treating cancer should be a worldwide priority with minimal differences in therapy access.²

“Cancer incidence and mortality are on the rise globally and are expected to disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries. Unfortunately, access to newer cancer therapeutics is far more restricted in low- and middle-income countries due to prohibitive costs,” Fadlo R. Khuri, MD, president of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon, and professor of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, said in a news release. “In this paper, we analyze the data and propose a few solutions that could help alleviate these worsening disparities—including the use of quality generics and biosimilars and the implementation of universal health care coverage and international medical funding.”¹

REFERENCES

1. Wiley. Study reveals significant global disparities in cancer care across different countries. News release. November 18, 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://newsroom.wiley.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Study-reveals-significant-global-disparities-in-cancer-care-across-different-countries/default.aspx

2. Tfayli AH, El-Halabi LN, Khuri FR. Global disparities in cancer care: Bridging the gap in affordability and access to medications between high and low-income countries. Cancer. 2024; 1-7. doi:10.1002/cncr.35590