Breast and cervical cancers are two of the most common and serious forms of cancer afflicting women worldwide.

These diseases not only impose a significant health cost, but also impact the socioeconomic well-being of communities and nations. Understanding the worldwide geography of breast and cervical cancers is critical for effective prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Breast cancer and cervical cancer are major health concerns for Asian women. Breast cancer is the most common disease among women in many Asian nations, with rising incidence rates ascribed to changing lifestyles and risk factors such as genetics, hormonal effects, and dietary choices. Breast cancer screening and treatment availability vary by country, with industrialized nations often having more sophisticated healthcare systems.

Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is a major problem in low- and middle-income Asian countries, with HPV infection being the leading cause. Efforts are being made to introduce HPV vaccination programmes and cervical cancer screening, although discrepancies in accessibility and awareness remain. Cancer-related behaviours in the region are also influenced by cultural attitudes and stigmas about women's health.

To reduce the effect of these malignancies in Asia, comprehensive efforts such as information campaigns, increased healthcare access, immunization programmes, and early diagnosis and treatment promotion must be implemented.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide, characterized by abnormal cell development in the breast tissue. It is a disease that knows no bounds, affecting women of all ages, nationalities, and origins. Breast cancer was the main cause of cancer-related mortality in women during 2020, accounting for about 2.3 million new cases and over 685,000 deaths globally. The incidence and death rates of this malignancy vary by area, reflecting differences in healthcare access, lifestyle factors, and screening programs.

Cervical cancer, on the other hand, develops largely in the cervix, the bottom portion of the uterus. It is associated to long-term infection with high-risk forms of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women, with an estimated 600,000 new cases and over 340,000 deaths recorded in 2020. Unfortunately, it is one of the most preventable and curable malignancies if found early with routine screening and HPV vaccination.

Breast and cervical cancers are two of the most frequent diseases affecting women worldwide, with a disproportionately high burden in Asia Pacific (APAC) developing nations such as the Philippines.

A recent study by the APAC Women's Cancer Coalition (APAC WCC) reveals a feasible path to reducing this burden via strategic, focused, and long-term measures.

APAC WCC: A Beacon of Hope

The APAC Women's Cancer Coalition is a varied coalition of partners committed to addressing the rising hazard of cervical and breast cancer among Asian Pacific women. In the face of frightening numbers, their research, titled "Impact and Opportunity: the Case for Investing in Women's Cancers in the Asia Pacific," emphasises the urgent need for action. Filipino women, like their colleagues in the greater APAC area, have a much higher risk of developing breast and cervical cancer than women worldwide.

The creation of a nationwide, accessible, cancer-specific digital registry is one of the primary initiatives advocated in the study. A registry of this sort would be critical in guaranteeing the availability of fast and accurate information, monitoring and tracking systems, and in increasing coverage for both forms of cancer. Furthermore, it has the potential to dramatically improve follow-up therapy, collect vital data to improve programmes and services, and ultimately contribute to the saving of lives.

Examining the APAC Landscape

The APAC WCC report, sponsored by Roche and published by Economist Impact, examines the prevalence of breast and cervical cancer in six Asia Pacific countries: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. It analyses gaps and possibilities for development in five critical areas: policy and planning, prevention and screening, diagnostics and resource capacity, treatment and access, and awareness and education.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has previously launched global initiatives, such as the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination and the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, with the goal of accelerating cervical cancer elimination and achieving a sustained reduction in breast cancer mortality globally. Building on the results of the APAC WCC study, the coalition is now asking Asia Pacific nations to identify, create, and capitalise on chances for advancement in order to fulfil the WHO's aggressive objectives.

"The report highlights discrepancies in the region with respect to national readiness to tackle women's cancers," said Dr. Heather White, Executive Director of TogetHER for Health and a founding member of the APAC WCC. It is obvious that no one country analysed has thoroughly handled these illnesses, which opens up the possibility of testing diverse ways to prevention and control that might guide national and regional cancer control programmes."

The Path Forward

Reducing the prevalence of breast and cervical cancer in Asia Pacific developing nations is a realistic aim, and the APAC WCC study provides a road map for doing so. Countries in the APAC area may make considerable steps towards improving the health and well-being of their female populations by concentrating on strategic interventions, complete digital registries, and targeted initiatives in important domains. The moment for action is now, and we can make a difference in the lives of countless women across the Asia Pacific area by working together.