WHO calls for early cancer diagnosis

The World Health Organization (WHO) Friday launched a new guidance to better improve the chances of survival for people living with cancer by ensuring that health services focus on diagnosing and treating the disease earlier.[Photo/Xinhua]

It is estimated that 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars are lost due to cancer.

According to WHO's new guide to cancer early diagnosis, all countries can take steps to improve early diagnosis of cancer.

Steps to early diagnosis include improving public awareness of different cancer symptoms, encouraging people to seek care and investing in strengthening and equipping health services.

WHO said challenges are clearly greater in low and middle-income countries, which have lower abilities to provide access to effective diagnostic services.

WHO encouraged these countries to prioritize basic, high-impact and low-cost cancer diagnosis and treatment services.

The organization also recommended reducing the need for people to pay for care out of their own pockets, which prevents many from seeking help in the first place.