LET'S TURN THE TIDE AGAINST LUNG CANCER

On World Lung Cancer Day, policymakers must translate global commitments into regional solutions

- BY PELIN INCESU | Special to Gulf News

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 health care 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).