Early detection and screening

Global Key Message

• The cancer burden in all countries can be significantly reduced by ensuring the availability of, and access to, affordable early detection programmes for which there is evidence of efficacy in the population in question, including screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, skin and oral cancers.
• Awareness is the first step to early detection and improving cancer outcomes. Specific efforts are needed to raise awareness in the community and among healthcare workers that cancer outcomes can be improved through early detection regardless of the technique or the resource setting.
• The approach and scope of an early detection programme should be tailored to resources as well as cultural beliefs and practices, with the flexibility for governments to initiate and expand services as resource levels increase.
• Appropriate training of health personnel is critical in all settings but particularly in low-income countries where education of frontline health staff is a key component of a successful early detection strategy.