Cancer in global health: How do prevention and early detection strategies relate?

National cancer control plans are needed to stem the rapidly rising global cancer burden.

Prevention and early detection are complementary but distinct strategies for cancer control.

Some cancers are prevented through behavior and/or environmental modif cations

that reduce cancer risk, whereas other cancers are more amenable to treatment when

they are successfully diagnosed at early stages. Prevention and early detection strategies

should be prioritized on the basis of country-specif c cancer demographics, modif -

able risk factor distribution, and existing treatment resource availability. Following an

individualized plan integrating prevention and early detection strategies, def cits can be

targeted to strengthen national health systems for cancer control.