Catching Cancer Early Can Save Lives

Late diagnosis of cancer leads to millions of people enduring needless suffering and premature death, and efforts to catch the disease early must be stepped up, the World Health Organization said on Friday. In a report launched on World Cancer Day (February 4), the WHO said it wanted to improve chances of survival for cancer patients by ensuring health services focus on diagnosing and treating the disease earlier. “Diagnosing cancer in late stages, and the inability to provide treatment, condemns many people to unnecessary suffering and early death,” said Etienne Krug, a WHO expert on chronic disease and cancer, Reuters reported. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment, especially for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, would lead to more people surviving the disease and cut treatment costs.