ently preventable. However, many cases of cancer can be effectively treated if caught early. They say: "Breast and colorectal cancer are common, and moderately curable if treated early. In addition, for the next several decades, until the protective effects of HPV vaccination are widespread, cervical pre-cancerous changes and early cancers are eminently treatable." Most childhood cancers are also highly curable, and their treatment is included in the DCP package.
This essential package of cost-effective and feasible interventions, which includes access to opioid-based pain medications, would, if fully implemented, require US$20 billion per year, or 3% of total public spending on health at current levels in LMICs: 2·6% in upper-middle-income and 5% in lower-middle income countries, but 13% in low-income countries. In per capita terms, this would cost $5·7, $1·7 and $1·7 extra annually per person in upper-middle-income, lower-middle income, and low-income countries, respectively.
The authors conclude: "Such increases are potentially feasible in all but the low-income countries, which would require external support." They say further that "cancer interventions considered appropriate for a national cancer strategy should be available and affordable. Global initiatives for cancer control in LMICs are needed to lower the costs of key inputs for the essential package, including large-scale commodity purchases; to expand technical assistance and dissemination of skills; and to promote locally-relevant cancer research."
The analysis also makes clear that the cancer burden will continue to grow unless practical measures are begun to address it. The authors say*: "Money alone will not instantly make cancer treatment and other interventions available. In many countries, the lack of trained personnel--from laboratory technicians to analyse cancer biopsies, to radiotherapy technicians to surgeons--impedes progress, and fully correcting this lack of human resources may take years or decades. Delaying a start, however, will just mean more lives lost unnecessarily to cancer."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
*Quote direct from authors and not within text of the Review
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