Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Indonesia
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Topics
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Infographic
  • Video
  • Community
  • Partner
  • Press Release
  • Youth
  • Global
  • Featured
  • Soft News

WHO’s Guidelines for Cancer Prevention and Management in Southeast Asia

The WHO South-East Asia Secretariat developed a regional strategy to improve the response to cancer prevention and management in the region.
by Kresentia Madina February 11, 2025
two people holding hands

Photo: RDNE Stock project on Pexels.

We are now experiencing several crises simultaneously, from climate change to food security. These crises directly impact our health and may increase the risks of fatal diseases if no proper actions are taken. In this light, the World Health Organization has published a strategy for cancer prevention and management in Southeast Asia.

Ever-Increasing Risk Factors

Almost 10 million deaths that occurred in 2018 were due to cancer. It is the second leading cause of death globally. In Southeast Asia alone, the WHO estimated that 2.4 million new cancer cases and 1.5 million deaths happened in 2022, and the number is expected to increase by over 85% by 2050.

Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity are among the risk factors for cancer. Moreover, the ongoing polycrisis can also add to or aggravate the risk factors above. Air pollution, whose level and severity have escalated in recent years, has increasingly become a risk factor for lung cancer. Similarly, the changing climate heavily affects food systems, eventually disrupting the availability and affordability of nutritious food.

WHO’s Cancer Prevention and Management Strategy

Easing the burden of cancer treatment is crucial for patients and the healthcare system. This can be done by reducing risk factors, conducting screening and early diagnosis, and ensuring suitable treatments and support for cancer patients and their families.

To improve the response to cancer prevention and management in the region, the WHO South-East Asia Secretariat has developed the Regional Strategy for Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Management 2024–2030, with input and contribution from the Member States.

At the beginning, the document notes that while efforts for cancer prevention and management have progressed, challenges persist in less-than-optimal national policies and programs. Each country in Southeast Asia has a different capacity and maturity in handling the disease, which leads to a higher mortality-to-incidence ratio (64.5%) in the region compared to high-income countries (36.5%).

Therefore, the WHO’s guidance proposes seven strategic priorities to guide countries’ actions in cancer prevention and management:

  • Strategic priority 1: Formulate national cancer control plans with strong governance and accountability.
  • Strategic priority 2: Strengthen effective cancer prevention policies and programs. 
  • Strategic priority 3: Prioritize and implement early diagnosis and screening with appropriate resources.
  • Strategic priority 4: Scale-up capacity to implement cancer management with quality improvement.
  • Strategic priority 5: Improve access to supportive care, survivorship care, and palliative care.
  • Strategic priority 6: Assess the burden, monitor trends and outcomes of cancer. 
  • Strategic priority 7: Partner with communities, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

Collaboration for Better Public Health

Public health is our common responsibility, which is why the Regional Strategy emphasizes stakeholder and community engagement, multisectoral actions, and social participation as key enablers for implementing cancer prevention and management in Southeast Asia.

“The plan is designed to leverage support from the global initiatives on childhood, cervical, and breast cancers, and the focus on tobacco-related cancers. Recognizing the need for coordinated multi-pronged actions from government and partners, the regional strategy delineates actions to be taken by all stakeholders,” wrote Ms. Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia.

“Together, we can drive rapid and sustained progress towards the 2030 targets for a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future.”


Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Select Your Subscription Plan
Kresentia Madina
Kresentia Madina
Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Madina is the Assistant Manager for Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has three years of professional experience working on GNA international digital publications, programs, and partnerships particularly on social and cultural issues.

  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa

Continue Reading

Previous: How Umah Lumba Rescues and Rehabilitates Circus Dolphins
Next: Grassroots to Greatness: Empowering grassroots communities in development practices

Related Stories

Close-up of seedlings growing in pots How India’s National Agroforestry Policy Helps Tackle Land Degradation and More
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How India’s National Agroforestry Policy Helps Tackle Land Degradation and More

by Attiatul Noor June 20, 2025
The rapid development in AI technologies must be supported with AI regulation to ensure responsible usage. Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage

by Ayu Nabilah June 19, 2025
a wilted sunflower Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation

by Kresentia Madina June 18, 2025
multiple megaphones attached on a pillar The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness

by Kresentia Madina June 17, 2025
two hands joining puzzle pieces Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection

by Abul Muamar June 16, 2025
a photo of Umea town landscape. How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

by Ayu Nabilah and Kresentia Madina June 13, 2025

About Us

  • GNA Founder’s Letter
  • GNA In-House Team
  • GNA Author Network
  • GNA Press Release Guidelines
  • GNA Op-ed Article Guidelines
  • GNA Community Content Guidelines
  • GNA Internship
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021-2025 Green Network Asia