If someone is in unbearable pain, terminally ill or suffering an incurable condition, should they legally be provided assistance to die if they wish to do so?   The age-old controversy around assisted suicide or medically assisted dying is complex and multi-faceted. It raises questions about individual self-determination, the distinction between physical and psychological suffering, and the commitment of medical professionals to “do no harm”.    Access for cancer patients to medically...

More than half of people with cancer are 65 or older. And yet, the quality of care given to them often doesn’t meet their specific needs and can be inferior to younger adults. Why is this? Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC, speaks with Dr Enrique Soto, from the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico, about the need for more patient-centred care and geriatric oncology expertise in caring for older adults with cancer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around 400 000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year. But while survival rates for children in high-income countries is about 80%, in low-income settings it is under 30%. This significant disparity is not an unsolvable problem. There is a path forward so that children everywhere do not die of cancer. Rick Shadyac speaks to Cary Adams in this episode of Let's Talk Cancer about the underlying challenges with childhood cancer and the actions being taken to overcome them. Hosted on...

Cervical cancer is one of the most highly preventable and curable forms of cancer. And yet it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in over 40 countries.  What are the causes of inequity? Why do so many women lack access to life-saving services due to where they live or other socioeconomic factors? How we overcome these barriers? What role can innovation and technology play? Dr Chemtai Mungo, Assistant Professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of North Carolina at...

Most people will have heard of cancer stages 1,2,3 and 4 but may not know exactly what they mean or where they come from.   These terms form the basis of the international TNM Classification system, which describe how advanced a cancer is when it is diagnosed.   This system has proven to be groundbreaking in healthcare, as it allows doctors to explain the cancer to their patients, prescribe the appropriate treatment plan, and improve information sharing and research across populations and...

The global obesity rate has almost tripled since 1975. The World Health Organization reckons that worldwide 39% of adults are overweight, and 13% are obese.   Too much body fat increases a person’s chances of developing illnesses such as cancer. More than a dozen types of cancer are linked to excess body weight.   Usually, obesity results from inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with diet and physical activity choices. Fortunately, even modest weight loss can improve...

Dr Ulysses Dorotheo talks to Dr Cary Adams about the harms caused by tobacco to the environment and measures to take to improve tobacco control. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr Ben Newton of GE Healthcare talks about advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment that improve the early detection of cancer, as well as patients’ chances of survival and experiences. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why must we integrate cancer control into Universal Health Coverage?  Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people can benefit from quality health services, where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. At least half of the world’s population, however, still do not have access to the full range of essential health services, including cancer care and treatment. And the cost of cancer treatment and care may push many patients and their families into poverty or...

Dive into the most important topics - from tobacco to universal health coverage. Every month, Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC, talks to leading thinkers to share their insights on the progress of the fight against cancer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.