ESMO is committed to improving cancer care and outcomes for patients through its support for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). A recent study Quality-of-care indicators for oncology management: an analysis of Asia-Pacific healthcare and oncology indicators by Prof Ravindran Kanesvaran et al., commissioned by the ESMO Public Policy Committee, highlights significant disparities in cancer care quality and access to care for patients with cancer across 47 Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries.
According to the study, high-income countries, like Japan, South Korea, and Australia have established comprehensive UHC models, demonstrate high healthcare spending per capita and robust cancer care infrastructure, including advanced diagnostics and treatment facilities. In contrast, low- and lower-middle-income countries face challenges like limited healthcare spending and inadequate infrastructure. There is significant variation in medical oncologists’ availability across countries with different income levels - there are fewer than 1 oncologist per 100 000 population in lower-middle-income countries, whereas this ranges from 0.7 to 3.9 oncologists per 100 000 population in high-income countries.
The study also reveals that high-income countries generally provide comprehensive oncology services and have well-established population-based cancer registries. Conversely, lower-income countries often lack palliative care services and essential cancer medicines, exacerbating inequities. The authors highlight the importance of strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and equitable distribution of medical resources.
ESMO calls on policymakers to prioritise UHC that includes a full range of cancer services, from prevention and early detection to advanced treatment and palliative care. Ensuring access to these services is vital to reducing disparities and achieving global cancer care equity. To bridge the gap between countries, ESMO collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop and implement tools to support national cancer control planning and to optimise the global oncology workforce.