An overview of cancer survival in developing countries.

Four types of approaches in the development of cancer control measures are recommended: population-based cancer registries for many developing countries high-resolution studies community-based intervention trials and balanced investment in theDevelopment of adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of cancer survival in 10 populations in China Cuba India Philippines and Thailand. It compares results for 10 developing country cancer registries on a site-by-site basis between the registries themselves and also between developing and developed countries in general. Three broad categories of results obtained from the comparison of survival in developed and developing country registries are shown. The magnitude of differences is then plotted against the three major elements of cancer control: primary prevention early detection and treatment. It is noted that the differences in survival were even more striking for cancer sites such as testis leukemia and lymphoma in which improved multimodality treatment has increased long-term survival. The survival estimates reported from the 10 developing country registries probably include some of the best survival results in the Third World. Based on the findings four types of approaches in the development of cancer control measures are recommended: population-based cancer registries for many developing countries high-resolution studies community-based intervention trials and balanced investment in the development of adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities.