From resolution to action: Beating lung cancer in the Middle East and Africa

Every year, around 80,000 lives are lost to lung cancer across the Middle East and Africa, taking a heavy toll on families, communities and healthcare systems. Often diagnosed at a late stage, lung cancer remains one of the biggest health challenges facing our region, both in terms of mortality and financial burden, costing the world approximately $3.9 trillion a year.

However, positive change is happening that has the potential to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients everywhere. On August 1, we mark World Lung Cancer Day just as the world’s Health Ministers joined forces for the first time in history to recognise lung health as a global priority. The new Lung Health Resolution adopted at the World Health Assembly calls for global action across lung conditions such as lung cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

This landmark resolution has the power to accelerate progress against lung cancer in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), compelling countries to develop comprehensive approaches to address this and other respiratory diseases. It highlights the importance of screening, awareness and healthcare access to help shift the diagnosis of lung cancer to earlier stages, where intervention is far more effective and cost-efficient. Emphasis is also placed on tackling risk factors like tobacco and air pollution, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and upskilling local workforces.

As policymakers consider their next steps to capture the momentum in tackling lung cancer, they should focus on three priorities:

First, the inclusion of lung cancer into national cancer control plans (NCCPs) and a stronger integration of lung health services is key. Ideally, these plans should include metrics around prevention, awareness, early detection, treatment, patient support and data collection across the patient journey.

The UAE provides a promising example. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently announced the development of a national guide for the early detection of lung cancer, in collaboration with the National Committee for the Prevention and Control of Cancer.

Second, greater investment is needed in early detection. Evidence shows that early screening could prevent nearly one quarter of deaths from lung cancer, which equates to tens of thousands of lives saved across the Middle East and Africa. Fortunately, technological advancements are making it easier, quicker and more affordable to diagnose lung cancer than ever before.

Egypt offers inspiring evidence of the power of technology underpinned by political will. As a sponsors of the Lung Health Resolution, Egypt is now assessing how an integrated approach can be adopted. This builds on the Lung Cancer arm of the “100 Million Healthy Lives” presidential campaign, which has so far analysed 205,000 chest X-rays to identify early-stage lung cancer more effectively.

Finally, countries must strive to improve health equity by ensuring all people can access lung cancer screening and treatment, starting at the primary care level.

By linking governments, the private sector, academia and civil society, programmes like Cancer Care Africa (CCA) are helping close the cancer care gap across the continent. In Sub Saharan Africa, CCA has helped grant access to a new lung cancer treatment and build diagnostic infrastructure, including the first EGFR testing facilities in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, in Egypt, the programme has screened tens of thousands connecting more patients to care pathways.

By enhancing health systems through capacity building, screening, diagnostics and affordable treatment models, the programme is ensuring that more people regardless of their location, receive timely and effective care. This model could help countries make significant strides in the battle against lung cancer, with the potential to be replicated across the Middle East and Africa.

This is an exciting moment in the fight against lung cancer. We have the momentum, and I am confident that our region has the leadership at the highest levels to match it. With the right interventions, World Lung Cancer Day can become more than just symbolic. It can mark real progress in lung health, particularly in our region.

Let’s turn the tide and act now.

Pelin Incesu is Area Vice-President, Middle East & Africa, AstraZeneca