A recent Lancet Commission report titled, Women, Power, and Cancer sheds light on the critical issue of gender inequity in cancer care, particularly in the context of younger and teenage girls.
The report highlights that a lack of concern in society towards women's health, a lack of awareness, and the absence of quality expertise at the primary care level have delayed their access to cancer prevention, detection, and care. This delay can have devastating consequences, as exemplified by the story of Rama Devi from Mumbai's Nala Sopara area. Her headaches, stemming from brain cancer, were initially dismissed by her husband and a local doctor. Only through the intervention of her father-in-law did she receive the necessary medical attention and diagnosis. Rama's case is tragically representative of women facing cancer, domestic violence, and poverty, often unable to access timely treatment and consequently deteriorating into advanced stages of the disease.
The Lancet study reveals that nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths in Indian women could have been prevented, and 37 per cent could have been treated if early diagnosis and optimal care had been accessible. Shockingly, around 6.9 million cancer deaths in women were preventable, and 4.03 million were treatable.
Dr. Ishu Kataria, Commissioner at Lancet, emphasized that women in India are losing their lives to cancer due to family apathy, indifference to their own conditions, lack of access, and financial constraints. She underscores the urgent need for a feminist approach to cancer care, emphasising that women interact with cancer in various roles, including caregivers, participants in prevention and screening efforts, healthcare providers, researchers, and policy-makers. However, these women often face gender bias and discrimination that hinder their ability to seek quality care for both diagnosis and treatment.
In terms of cancer deaths among women, the top three cancers in India—breast, cervical, and ovarian—dominated in 2020. Infections, notably the HPV virus and Hepatitis B and C, accounted for 23 per cent of cancer-related deaths. Tobacco, alcohol consumption, and obesity were other significant risk factors contributing to cancer mortality among Indian women.
The Lancet study underscores the importance of education and awareness, particularly among women who may have limited education and financial resources. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial in improving the prognosis and quality of life for women facing cancer.
Image used for representational purposes only.