Global Cancer Surgery, or Lack Thereof: A Wake-Up Call

Excerpt

The alarming predictions of the rising global cancer burden should not come as any surprise to the informed reader and must serve as a prompt and substantial wake-up call for anyone involved in the delivery of cancer care.1 A glimpse of the worrisome metrics associated with the rising global cancer burden is outlined in Table 1. The magnitude of the pervasive consequences of rising global cancer burden on the individual patient, as well as the nation and the entire world, are increasingly evident. Several attempts and initiatives are under way to address this rising global cancer burden by targeting various points in the global chain of cancer care delivery. To address any issue, one needs to be aware of the magnitude of the problem and the myriad deficiencies associated with its targeted amelioration. The Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery is a laudable attempt to address the inequities in cancer care with particular emphasis on the gross lack of surgical care for patients afflicted with cancer.1 …