Urgent Call to Address Cancer Crisis in Low-Income Nations

Low and middle-income countries face a dual burden of non-communicable and infectious diseases, with cancer cases projected to rise significantly. Dr. Shobha Krishnan emphasizes the need for greater focus on cost-effective measures for cancers prevalent in these regions, advocating for HPV vaccination and practical screening methods.

Low and middle-income countries are grappling with a dual burden of non-communicable diseases and infectious ailments, and it is crucial to direct more attention towards cancers prevalent or unique to such countries, a US-based cancer expert has said.

Citing data, Dr. Shobha Krishnan also mentioned that cancer cases in India are projected to rise by nearly 13 percent by 2025 compared to 2020, highlighting the urgency to exchange knowledge and best practices.

Krishnan, founder and president of the US-based Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC), participated in the recent US-India cancer dialogue held in Delhi. She stressed the need for practical and cost-effective cancer treatments, particularly HPV vaccination and early screening for cervical cancer, which remains a significant burden in low-income countries.