Uniting Voices for Action on Women Cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

With an estimated 9.74 million deaths per year worldwide, cancer remains a significant global public health burden, particularly ranking among the top three causes of premature mortality among women.1 In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), breast cancer is the primary female cancer, with over 131,000 reported cases in 2022.2 Additionally, cervical cancer is another top driver of death and disability in the region, with a death toll of over 7,600 women annually and almost 16,000 predicted deaths for 2040.3
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including those in the EMR, women still face significant challenges related to the accessibility and availability of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for cancer. These challenges are exacerbated by limited resources, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and disparities in access to healthcare services. Despite the existence of national cancer control policies in 80% of EMR countries, only 45% are operational, highlighting the gap between policy and implementation.4 Furthermore, awareness related to women’s cancers remains low in many communities, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation.
To address these pressing issues, the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance (EM-NCDA) will convene an event on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA), bringing together high-level stakeholders from the EMR to catalyze efforts around women’s cancers in the region. While drawing upon the IHE-IAPO Breast Cancer Report as well as the Lancet Commission on Women, Power, and Cancer, this gathering aims to galvanize the EMR political commitment in ensuring women’s cancer remains a central focus on the agenda of the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in 2025.
OBJECTIVES
1. Emphasize the importance of addressing women’s cancers, leveraging collective efforts to steer discussions towards actionable outcomes.
2. Give priority to women’s cancers in health policies and strategies, advocating for the incorporation of gender-sensitive approaches and closing the divide between policy development and execution.
3. Mobilize regional commitment and cooperation among all stakeholders to uphold women’s cancer as a central concern on the regional health agenda.
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EXPECTED OUTCOMES
1. To mitigate the burden of women’s cancers and achieve equitable access to quality care and support in the EMR, this event aims to:
2. Enhance key stakeholders’ understanding of the significant impact of women’s cancers in the EMR, advocating for increased attention and resource allocation towards addressing these pressing issues.
3. Identify and address challenges in the implementation of policies related to women’s cancer in the EMR, focusing on bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
4. Empower women by providing them with access to information, support networks, and resources to actively participate in decisions regarding their own health and well-being, particularly in relation to cancer prevention and treatment options.
5. Facilitate the exchange of best practices, foster partnerships, and promote gender-sensitive policies that address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of women affected by cancer regardless of socio-economic status or geographical location.