Promoting cancer prevention and early diagnosis in the occupied Palestinian territory

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), and a more than 65 % rise in all cancer mortality is expected by 2030, with potentially devastating consequences which could overwhelm an already strained Palestinian health system. Advanced stage at diagnosis and the pervasive shortages in basic treatment options are to blame These factors are accompanied by a lack of infrastructure and trained human resources, the absence of reliable and timely data, and poorly coordinated healthcare systems. At present, resources for cancer control in the country are not only inadequate, but some of them are misallocated because of decisions that have been made that have not been based on evidence. This could lead to a waste of badly needed resources in a system that is already gravely short of funding. This paper highlights the challenges facing national primary cancer prevention measures in the oPt that will be needed to reduce exposure to cancer-related risk factors. The paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations on how the oPt can detect in good time and thus treat the three most common cancers in the country – lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.