New Global Cancer Country Profiles
December 2014 -- WHO is launching Global Cancer Country Profiles. In order to combat the global epidemic of cancer and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), it is imperative to create a baseline for monitoring trends and to assess the progress of countries in addressing the epidemic.
The aim of the WHO Global Cancer Country Profiles is to synthesize, in one reference document, the global status of cancer prevention and control. Each Profile includes data on cancer mortality and incidence; risk factors; availability of cancer country plans; monitoring and surveillance; primary prevention policies; screening; treatment and palliative care.
New WHO guidelines for mammography screening and referral
October 2014 -- A new WHO position paper examines the balance of benefits and harms in offering mammography screening to women after the age of 40 in a variety of settings. WHO is also issuing new guidelines for the referral of suspected breast cancer cases in low-resources settings, applicable to primary care.
These two guidelines are part of a broader set of comprehensive breast cancer guidance that will be developed in the coming years.
World Cancer Day 2014
Each year on 4 February, WHO and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) supports Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer.
This feature story about Meena in South-East Asia highlights how early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 2011 -- Breast cancer is currently the top cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and the developing world. The majority of breast cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the women are diagnosed in late stages due mainly to lack of awareness and barriers to access to health services.
About the Cancer Control Programme
The key mission of WHO Cancer Control Programme is to promote national cancer control policies plans and programmes, integrated to noncommunicable diseases and other related problems. Our core functions are to set norms and standards, promote surveillance, encourage evidence based prevention, early detection, treatment and palliative tailored to the different socioeconomic settings.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms.
One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. This process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer.