| Introduction: Give brief account of the report Body: What are implications of Lancet report? Conclusion: Way forward |
A global, multidisciplinary commission titled “Women, Power and Cancer” was established by The Lancet to look into the glaring gender gap in cancer care across the globe. The commission was composed of experts in “gender studies, human rights, law, economics, social sciences, cancer epidemiology, prevention, and treatment, as well as patient advocates.”
Implications of the Lancet Commission Report:
- Different outcomes: The report likely reveals that women face disparities in cancer outcomes compared to men. This can include differences in cancer diagnosis, treatment access, survival rates, and overall quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Eg, In India, 63% of cancer-related deaths among women were preventable if risk factors were reduced by ramping up screening and diagnosis; simultaneously, timely and appropriate treatment could’ve saved the lives of 37%.
- Access to Screening and Early Detection: The report shows that women, especially in lower-income or conservative societies, have limited access to cancer screening programs. This can result in late-stage diagnoses and reduced chances of successful treatment. These structural asymmetries can be seen in the under-representation of women in the oncology workforce as leaders and decision-makers.
- Inequity in STEM: The perception of women primarily as child-bearers and caregivers not only hinders research into cancers affecting areas beyond their breasts and cervix but also discourages women’s active participation in STEM fields. This gender bias in STEM leads to a shortage of women in cancer research, medical practice, and policymaking, consequently resulting in a lack of cancer prevention and care tailored to women’s specific needs.
Societal Perceptions of Women’s Roles and Their Contribution to Disparities:
- Economic Disparities: Women’s economic disparities, including wage gaps and limited employment opportunities, can result in financial barriers to accessing cancer care. Women are also more likely to experience “financial catastrophe” due to cancer
- Lack of Decision-Making Power: In many societies, women have limited decision-making power regarding their healthcare. Their access to cancer care, including treatment decisions, may be influenced by family members or community expectations.
- Limited Advocacy and Representation: Women’s underrepresentation in healthcare leadership and policy-making roles can result in a lack of focus on gender-specific health issues, including cancer. The asymmetries of power also play out in terms of decision-making, knowledge, and economics in 185 countries.
Conclusion:
More studies on risks that affect women and the gathering and updating of socio-demographic data in cancer health are two ways to address the measures to reduce inequity in cancer care. All stakeholders, from institutions and policymakers at the top to those who raise awareness and are involved in the treatment and care of the affected women, need to be more sensitive to and responsive to the challenges that arise at the intersections of power, status, and identity.
