The World Health Organization (WHO) recently collaborated with the National Department of Health (NDoH) to convene a Cancer Control Stakeholders Consultative Meeting to review the National Cancer Control Policy of 2015 and generate insights and recommendations for the new national cancer plan 2024-2030.
About 30 public health and cancer management specialists and stakeholders from NDoH, Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs), general hospitals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and WHO participated in the meeting.
Dr Josaia Tiko, Team Leader, Healthy Populations and Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO/PNG emphasized that controlling cancer is a whole-of-society endeavor. He stressed that cancer control is achievable in PNG and that united in action, we have the power to diminish the impact of cancer and transform countless lives.
Cancer remains a public health issue of major concern in Papua New Guinea (PNG). WHO estimates that there were 7,200 cancer deaths and 12,190 new cancer cases in 2022. The risk of dying from cancer before the age of 75 years is estimated at 12%. The top three leading cancers (ranked by deaths) for males are liver, lung, and prostate. Among females, the top cancers are breast, cervix uteri, and liver. If no significant actions are taken, cancer deaths and new cases are estimated to rise to 16,400 and 26,300, respectively, by 2045.
The PNG population continues to be exposed to cancer risk factors. For instance, more than 50% of males and 25% of females aged 15 years and above are smokers. Additionally, 79% chew betel nut, with an average of 5.5 nuts consumed per day.
Meeting participants shared their experiences in managing cancer in hospital and community settings. They identified key accomplishments, challenges, and next actions on cancer control. While acknowledging notable progress, they agreed that much work remains to accelerate cancer control in PNG. Key actions were identified on the following six priority strategic areas: (1) cancer prevention; (2) screening and early diagnosis: (3) treatment; (4) palliative and survivorship care; (5) data and information (including cancer registration); and (6) governance (addressing issues on financing, partnership, and coordination).
During the meeting, members of the cancer control technical working group (TWG) were identified. This TWG will work with NDoH and WHO to develop the new cancer control action plan 2024-2030 and ensure its alignment with the National Health Plan (NHP) 2021-2030.