Olubukola Ayodele: What Does Earlier Diagnosis Mean In A Community Where People Struggle To Access Diagnostics?

Olubukola Ayodele, Breast Cancer Lead at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared on LinkedIn:

“The World Cancer Declaration can be summarised to five global targets:

•  25% reduction in global cancer mortality
• 30% reduction in exposure to major cancer risk factors
• 60% of cancers diagnosed at an early stage
• 80% of cancer facilities with essential medicines, diagnostics and technologies available
• 50% of countries including essential cancer services within Universal Health Coverage

Ambitious? Absolutely.

However declarations do not change cancer outcomes. Implementation does.

For me, one of the biggest messages from the Congress is that global cancer control cannot exist only in conference halls, policy documents or conversations between people already working in this space.

We have to take these conversations home. Back to our hospitals, communities, professional organisations, governments and policymakers.

• What does earlier diagnosis mean in a community where people struggle to access diagnostics?
• What does availability of essential cancer medicines mean if patients cannot afford them?
• What does Universal Health Coverage mean if people are still pushed into financial hardship by cancer?

The success of the World Cancer Declaration will ultimately be measured by whether these ambitions translate into meaningful change in our countries and communities.

That is why the conversation must continue.

From November 2nd to the 6th, we will bring many of these discussions to London Global Cancer Week 2026, asking not only what needs to change but how do we make it happen?

Register here.

Global cancer control is ultimately about people and partnerships. No country, institution or individual can do this alone.

I had the opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues and I finally met people I have known through LinkedIn for years, and made new connections that I hope will become future collaborations.

Hearty congratulations to Dr Zainab Shinkafi – Bagudu as she starts her tenure as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). You are a beacon of light and hope to many and may God strengthen you for the journey ahead.

Well done to the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) for hosting an impactful meeting.

I’ll continue to share some of my reflections over the next few days.”

Other articles featuring Olubukola Ayodele on OncoDaily.