World Cancer Day; Dr. Kordasti: Focusing on Cancer Prevention is Crucial for Countries like Iran

February 4th is recognized as World Cancer Day, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about cancer and promote efforts for timely prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. The World Health Organization released a new report ahead of World Cancer Day, predicting that new cancer cases will increase by 77% to over 36 million by the year 2050. Estimated cancer cases in 2022 were 20 million, with 7.9 million deaths annually, and in 2020, global cancer cases were estimated at 18 million. Dr. Shahram Kordasti, a professor in the oncology department at King's College London and a hematology-oncology specialist, told Voice of America that the WHO report includes various positive and negative points, including that despite significant advancements in treatments and early detection methods for cancer, the absolute numbers of cancer mortality and incidence will still be high by 2050. Environmental pollution and longer lifespans due to better treatments for other diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, are among the multiple reasons for the increased incidence of cancer. According to Dr. Kordasti, a concerning point for countries like Iran, which have lower social development and security indices, is that by 2050, the incidence of cancer relative to the population will be nearly double that of developed countries, and cancer mortality will also be about twice as high. The head of the cancer department at the Ministry of Health of the Islamic Republic reported 150,000 new cancer cases annually in Iran, stating that breast cancer is the most common cancer in Iran, followed by colorectal, stomach, lung, and prostate cancers. Leila Modabeshar noted that obesity, tobacco use, infections, lifestyle, and unhealthy nutrition are factors contributing to various cancers. The Ministry of Health of the Islamic Republic reported about 85,000 to 90,000 new cancer cases annually last year, with this year's statistics indicating an increase in cancer cases in Iran. Dr. Kordasti emphasized that investment in early cancer detection, tobacco control, healthy diets, and a healthy environment is more crucial for less developed countries. This professor from King's College London stated that if the number of cancers doubles and there is no funding for new, extremely expensive medications, it would be catastrophic. Dr. Kordasti believes that focusing on cancer prevention alongside efforts to access these medications could be more effective. He mentioned that considering these actions yield long-term results and improve conditions, officials show less interest in them and are more focused on advanced equipment and opening flashy hospitals. He added, 'The extent of people's access to these new treatments, whether there is sufficient budget for their use, and whether there is an equal budget for education, preventive measures, and early diagnosis are issues that need to be discussed and invested in.' The head of the cancer department at the Ministry of Health of Iran stated that breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers are among the common cancers in the country. In the WHO report, lung cancer, with 2.5 million new cases, is recognized as the most common cancer globally, followed by breast cancer in women with 2.3 million cases, and then colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer. This year, the focus of World Cancer Day is on reducing the 'care gap' and striving for unified voices and joint action in this regard. Although cancer incidence is increasing globally, the WHO report indicates that countries with lower development levels will see a disproportionate increase in cancer rates, potentially placing a heavier burden on their health systems. Statistics show that childhood cancer in high-income countries exceeds 80%, while in low-income countries, it reaches only 20%. More than 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In refugee populations, cancer is also diagnosed at more advanced stages. The World Health Organization: Cancer cases worldwide are expected to increase by more than 75% by 2050. The World Health Organization: The use of artificial intelligence in medicine could be 'dangerous' for low-income countries. The rising cancer statistics in Iran; Dr. Kordasti: Cancer diagnosis in Iran is not done correctly. Annually, 55,000 cancer patients die in Iran; a 43% increase is predicted.