World Cancer Day 2023

World Cancer Day is held every year on February 4th with a goal to raise awareness, provide education and help prevent cancer deaths globally. Part of this mission includes addressing inequalities in cancer care. 

Unfortunately, the equity gap in cancer education and care is a reality for  countries everywhere. While cancer negatively effects people from all walks of life, there are some people that have less access to education and advanced treatment options: 

• For white women in the US, the five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 71%. For black women, the rate is just 58%. 
• In New Zealand, Māori, Indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand, are twice as likely to die from cancer as non-Māori. 
• Childhood cancer survival rates are over 80% in high-income countries, but as low as 20% in low-income countries. 
• More than 90% of cervical cancer mortality occurs in low- and middle-income countries. 
• Cancer kills nearly 10 million people a year and 70% of those are aged 65 or older, yet older populations face disproportionate barriers to effective treatment. 
• In refugee populations, cancer is more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to worse outcomes. 
• There are notable differences in cancer-related outcomes for rural and nonrural patients, even in higher-income settings such as the US. 

Note: statistics taken from WHO 2022; worldcancerday.org.

This World Cancer Day, we are encouraged to see the power of working together to reduce the care gap and inequity. By improving education about cancer and symptoms, and increasing access to treatment and services, outcomes and survival rates may be improved.

The first way to begin reducing this equity gap is by educating yourselves, on cancer screening and prevention. Learn more about recommended screenings by age and cancer type at:

• For women: https://www.genesiscare.com/us/patient-support/wellbeing-blog/cancer-screenings-for-women-by-age
• For men: https://www.genesiscare.com/us/patient-support/wellbeing-blog/cancer-screenings-for-men-by-age

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to educate yourself on your options. There have been proven advancements in treatment and technology over recent years, which have helped contribute to better outcomes and quality of life. At GenesisCare, we are firm believers in providing people from all walks of life with knowledge. Everyone deserves access to the best possible treatments available, when and where they need it most. As we make a personal commitment to provide cancer education and awareness across our global network, we encourage you to help us reach more people by sharing information. 

Together, we can reduce the cancer care equity gap.