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Nirmala Bhoo Pathy: Comprehensive analysis of cancer incidence and mortality across Southeast Asia
Mar 1, 2025, 16:11

Nirmala Bhoo Pathy: Comprehensive analysis of cancer incidence and mortality across Southeast Asia

Nirmala Bhoo Pathy, Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Malaya, shared a post on LinkedIn about recent paper by Edward Christopher Dee et al., titled “Cancer incidence and mortality estimates in 2022 in southeast Asia: a comparative analysis” published on The Lancet Oncology.

Authors: Edward Christopher Dee, Mathieu Laversanne, Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy, Frances Dominique V Ho, Erin Jay G Feliciano, Michelle Ann B Eala, Frederic Ivan L Ting, Ophira Ginsburg, Fabio Ynoe Moraes, Bishal Gyawali, Scarlett Lin Gomez, Kenrick Ng, James Fan Wu, Urvish Jain, Bhav Jain, Rod Carlo Columbres, Tomohiro Matsuda, Suleeporn Sangrajrang, Evlina Suzanna Sinuraya, Tung Duc Bui, Wenqiang Wei, Young-Joo Won, Ling Li Foo, Mei Chuan Annie Ling, Les Mery, Isabelle Soerjomataram, Freddie Bray.

Nirmala Bhoo Pathy: Comprehensive analysis of cancer incidence and mortality across Southeast Asia

“Very pleased to share our latest work published in The Lancet Oncology, where we present the most comprehensive analysis of cancer incidence and mortality across Southeast Asia. By 2050, cancer cases will nearly double to 2.03 million annually, and deaths are projected to surge by 94.7%.

Key Insights from our study:

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but survival rates vary drastically across the region.
  • Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death in men, largely driven by smoking and air pollution.
  • Liver cancer is a major concern in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, fueled by Hepatitis B & C.
  • Cervical cancer deaths remain unacceptably high in Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines, despite being entirely preventable with HPV vaccination and screening.
  • Colorectal cancer rates are rising fast, signaling for urgent needed in diet and lifestyle changes.

Here’s how we can ‘still’ turn the tide:

  • Universal HPV vaccination & cervical cancer screening
  • Stronger tobacco control policies
  • Expanded cancer screening and early detection
  • Increased access to viral hepatitis treatment
  • Increased access to life saving cancer therapies
  • Financial protection and psychosocial support for patients and families

The time for action is now. Cancer control must be prioritized, and regional collaboration is key.

Edward Christopher Dee thank you for your vision and leadership!”