Managing population health through prevention and early detection of cancer and other non-communicable diseases: a call for action

Cancer and other main non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus) have posed a great threat to the health of the populace worldwide. They were reported to account for approximately 74% of deaths globally, and these mortalities were found to concentrate in middle and low-income countries. This increasing burden has raised concerns among the entire populace due to its devastating health consequences. Addressing modifiable risk factors and implementing routine screening, early detection, and treatment can help curb this menace. The rapidly growing global burden of cancer and other NCDs reflects both population ageing and growth, as well as people’s exposure to the risk factors, including lack of or poor socioeconomic development. Due to their disproportionate impact on under-served populations, it is critical to address these risk factors. A policy framework that includes: cancer registries; usage of information for planning and evaluating screening and early detection programs; and alternative models for promoting community health, integrated care and illness management; and control of non-communicable diseases. Establishing a well-structured and sustainable framework that would enable governments, stakeholders, and concerned individuals to create policies, enact legislation, and implement regulations is crucial to combat the menace. Despite the promising beneficial results in reducing the burden of cancer and other NCDs the policy framework will have if implemented, many low and middle-income countries lack the highlighted policy frameworks and do not have a well-structured and functional primary healthcare system needed to drive the preventive strategies.