Cancer: A Global Day but a Yemeni Suffering

Haneen Al-Wahsh – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

The world celebrates World Cancer Day on February 4th, an annual occasion aimed at raising public awareness of one of the most dangerous diseases facing humanity. This day highlights the importance of prevention and early detection and supports scientific research to develop effective treatments.

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) established this event, recognizing the need for a global initiative to combat this malignant disease. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in attention to World Cancer Day, with many countries, organizations, and institutions organizing large-scale awareness campaigns and spreading positive messages about the possibility of overcoming this disease.

A Historical Overview

World Cancer Day aims to raise awareness about cancer, promote prevention, and encourage individuals to undergo early screening. The idea of establishing this day began in 2000 by the UICC, in cooperation with global health organizations and other institutions concerned with combating cancer.

World Cancer Day is an opportunity to encourage individuals to take simple preventive steps, such as adopting healthy lifestyles and undergoing regular checkups for early detection, which is a key factor in improving chances of recovery. February 4th is an occasion to call on governments, health organizations, and local communities to work together to reduce the number of cancer cases, improve diagnostic and treatment methods, and provide psychosocial support to cancer patients and their families.

Since its birth, this day has become an important opportunity to stimulate interaction between various stakeholders, whether governmental or non-governmental, at the international, regional, and local levels. An annual theme is chosen to reflect the main focus of work for each year, such as the importance of cancer prevention, early diagnosis, or highlighting a specific type of cancer.

Cancer and the Arab Situation

World Health Organization estimates indicate that in 2022, the world witnessed 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths resulting from it. The estimated number of people still alive within 5 years of being diagnosed with cancer reached 53.5 million.

Approximately one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime. The disease claims the lives of roughly one in nine men and one in twelve women, according to a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the WHO.

The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) estimates that around 734,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually in the Middle East. This number is expected to increase by about 50% by 2040. Reports indicate that in the Eastern Mediterranean region alone, which includes most Arab countries, cancer causes the deaths of approximately 459,000 people annually.

The Arab region has seen a rise in the number of cancer cases in recent years. Reports indicate that cancer has become the second leading cause of death in the Arab region, after heart disease. Statistics show that the number of cancer cases in the Arab region in 2020 reached approximately 1.5 million new cases, and this number is expected to rise to 2.1 million by 2030 if current trends continue.

According to official Saudi sources, in 2019, 14,978 cancer cases were recorded among Saudi adults; including 1,856 cases of breast cancer, followed by colorectal cancer with 1,345 cases, then thyroid cancer with 951 cases.

In Egypt, the number of new cancer cases in 2020 reached approximately 150,000, according to the National Cancer Registry report. Breast cancer is the most common among women, while lung cancer is the most common among men.

Information compiled by Sputnik Arabic website indicates that the most prevalent types of cancer in Arab countries are breast, lung, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers. The website also mentions that the causes of cancer vary, with genetic factors accounting for 10% to 30% of cases and 10% to 30% of cancer types, along with a long list of other causes, some of which differ from one region to another in the world.

Experts point to key factors contributing to the spread of the disease in the Arab region, such as smoking, environmental pollution, unhealthy diets, and a lack of awareness about the importance of early detection. However, many Arab countries have begun taking important steps to combat cancer. For example, some countries have implemented programs for early cancer detection, and specialized hospitals and centers for treatment and care have been opened.

However, specialists say the region faces significant challenges in this area, such as a shortage of specialized health resources and disparities in access to good treatment among countries, especially in less developed and more unstable areas like Yemen.

The Cancer Reality in Yemen

In Yemen, many patients struggle to access adequate healthcare due to the country’s challenging economic and political circumstances. According to official reports and statements, the number of cancer patients was 15,000 in 2015, exceeding 30,000 in 2022.

In 2023, Taiz governorate alone recorded over 12,000 cancer cases, according to information provided by Mukhtar Ahmad Saeed, director of the National Cancer Control Foundation in Taiz.

He confirmed that Taiz governorate recorded a total of 11,871 cancer cases in 2023, the most prevalent being breast cancer (1,794 cases) and lymphoma (1,268 cases).

With the ongoing conflict that has destroyed much of the healthcare infrastructure, cancer patients suffer from shortages of medication and treatment, further complicating the situation. Last year, the World Health Organization reported that the healthcare system remains unable to meet the needs of the population; only 54% of healthcare facilities are fully operational, while 46% are partially operational or out of service.

According to specialist Shawqi Al-Mikhlafi, Yemenis face additional challenges, such as the absence of early detection programs and the high cost of treatment abroad; many patients are forced to travel to other countries like Egypt or Jordan for advanced treatment.

He added that “the probability of diagnosing cancer patients is reduced by 50%, especially those with breast cancer, making cancer patients in our country highly vulnerable to death due to delayed diagnosis and inadequate access to good treatment.”

According to a recent World Health Organization report, more than 35 million new cancer cases are expected in 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022.

Dr. Shawqi Al-Mikhlafi emphasizes that Yemen is one of the Arab countries most at risk of cancer in the coming period due to the significant increase in the use of smuggled and dangerous toxins and pesticides, in the absence of governmental and societal oversight.