In this episode of Global Health Unpacked, Dr. Gvantsa Khizanishvili speaks with Dr. Lisa Stevens, Director of the Division of Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on how do countries move from writing a National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) to actually implementing it and saving lives?
Key topics:
- Why involving Ministries of Finance and other stakeholders early is critical to ensure NCCPs are funded and implemented
- The growing cancer burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where nearly 70% of cases occur
- Why strengthening early access to treatment and linking early detection to treatment capacity may be more impactful than screening alone
- The importance of integrating cancer diagnosis and treatment into universal health coverage (UHC) benefit packages
This conversation provides practical lessons for policymakers, oncologists, global health professionals, and advocates working to strengthen cancer systems worldwide.