Rewritten Title: National Health Strategy Urged as Data Reveals Regional Cancer Disparities
Article:
A senior Iranian health official has called for a cohesive, data-driven national health strategy, highlighting significant regional disparities in cancer rates and identifying breast cancer as a critical public health priority, particularly for women.
A Call for Data Accuracy
In a detailed address, Dr. Zahra Sheikhi, Vice President for Research and Technology at Jihad University, emphasized the critical importance of accurate data in shaping effective health policies. She cautioned that cancer statistics must be based on verified studies, noting that reporting capabilities and scientific infrastructure can vary across different provinces, potentially affecting the precision of national figures.
“Officially announced statistics are based on existing studies and may have some shortcomings,” Dr. Sheikhi stated, underscoring the need for reliable data to guide scientific decision-making.
A Geographic Divide in Cancer Incidence
Dr. Sheikhi revealed that cancer incidence in Iran occurs in regional clusters. The data shows a stark contrast, with central provinces experiencing the highest rates. In these areas, the age-standardized incidence rate can reach approximately 72 cases per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the southeastern provinces report a significantly lower rate, between just 5 and 11 cases per 100,000.
Breast Cancer: A National Health Alert
A primary focus of the warning is breast cancer. Multiple studies indicate that its highest prevalence in Iran is among women aged 40 to 49, a trend Dr. Sheikhi described as a “serious alarm for the health of the country’s women.”
Based on the latest available international data from sources like the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence rate of breast cancer in 2023 was approximately 37 per 100,000 women, with an estimated 15,700 new cases. Dr. Sheikhi noted that a formal national cancer registry report has not been released since 2018/2019.
Troublingly, breast cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related death among Iranian women and the fifth leading cause of cancer death across the entire population. Projections further indicate that the overall incidence of cancer in Iran is expected to increase by about 1.5 times over the next 15 years.
The Imperative for Cohesive Policy
Dr. Sheikhi framed these statistics as a serious warning that demands immediate and strategic action. “We must plan from today for the economic and social consequences of the increasing cancer incidence,” she asserted. She stressed the need for a “unified macro-level perspective on the health sector” across the country, urging an end to parallel efforts and insisting that decisions be rooted in scientific data and specialized expertise.
Education as the Cornerstone of Prevention
The official identified public education as a key weapon in the fight against cancer. She emphasized that precise education for both women and men on risk factors and health precautions can prevent a significant portion of diseases.
“Society must continuously and seriously pursue awareness and health education,” Dr. Sheikhi added. “Even if it seems repetitive, in the health sector, repeating educational messages is essential.”
She expressed hope that these ongoing efforts and discussions will effectively increase public sensitivity towards women’s health and cancer prevention, paving the way for a healthier future.