'Feminist approach' to cancer could save lives of 800,000 women a year

‘Feminist approach’ to cancer could save lives of 800,000 women a year
Gender inequality and discrimination impede timely diagnoses and quality care for women around the world, says report
Andrew Gregory Health editor
@andrewgregory
Tue 26 Sep 2023 18.30 EDT
Last modified on Tue 26 Sep 2023 19.30 EDT


Health experts are calling for a “feminist approach” to cancer to eliminate inequalities, as research reveals 800,000 women worldwide are dying needlessly every year because they are denied optimal care.

Cancer is one of the biggest killers of women and ranks in their top three causes of premature deaths in almost every country on every continent.

But gender inequality and discrimination are reducing women’s opportunities to avoid cancer risks and impeding their ability to get a timely diagnosis and quality care, according to a report published in the Lancet.

The largest report of its kind, which studied women and cancer in 185 countries, found unequal power dynamics across society globally were having “resounding negative impacts” on how women experience cancer prevention and treatment.

There was particular focus on “women’s cancers” – including breast and cervical – despite lung and colorectal cancer being among the top three causes of deaths from the disease, researchers said.

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https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/26/feminist-approach-cancer-save-lives-800000-women