Amol Akhade: Gastrointestinal Cancers – A Global Time Bomb Ticking Louder in LMICs
Amol Akhade, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Suyog Cancer Clinics, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Global Time Bomb Ticking Louder in LMICs
Insights from ESMO GI 2025 | Barcelona
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are no longer a regional issue – they now account for over a quarter (26%) of all new cancers and a staggering 34% of global cancer deaths. And the crisis is only getting worse.
By 2050, GI cancer mortality is projected to nearly double:
Colorectal cancer: +103.5%
Pancreatic cancer: +100.4%
Esophageal cancer: +85.6%
Liver cancer: +80.5%
But here’s the kicker:
The greatest increases are expected in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) – where survival is already poor due to delayed diagnosis, limited screening programs, and inadequate treatment infrastructure.
Meanwhile, high-HDI countries continue to enjoy markedly better 5-year survival rates, thanks to:
– Early detection
– Organized screening programs
– Access to multidisciplinary care
Yet many GI cancers are preventable
According to global data:
90% of esophageal cancer,
75% of stomach cancer,
55% of colorectal,
40% of liver, and
35% of pancreatic cancers
are preventable through modifications in risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, obesity, infections, and diet.
In fact, alcohol consumption alone caused 740,000 cancer cases globally in 2020, and even light to moderate drinking was a contributor.
The equity gap is real and widening
LMICs are facing:
A disproportionate rise in cancer mortality Poor infrastructure for early detection Limited access to standard-of-care therapies Minimal investment in cancer prevention
The solution?
An urgent global investment in:
– Screening programs
– Preventive health policies
– Equitable access to diagnostics and care
We cannot talk about “progress” in oncology without addressing the growing inequities in cancer burden and outcomes.
The future of cancer control must be global, equitable, and preventive.”
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