Each year, 800,000 women worldwide lose their lives due to being deprived of adequate care. According to a report published in the international medical journal Lancet, gender inequality and discrimination are making it harder for women to avoid cancer risks.
Health experts who compiled the report covering 185 countries are advocating for a “feminist approach” to address this issue. They emphasize that the influence of a patriarchal society on women’s experiences with cancer is often underestimated.
According to a report published in the international medical journal Lancet, gender inequality and discrimination are reducing women’s opportunities to avoid cancer risks and are obstructing their access to timely diagnosis and quality care.
The report highlights that the unequal power dynamics within society are having “negative impacts” on women’s experiences in cancer prevention and treatment across 185 countries.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes how gender inequalities are impeding women’s professional advancement in cancer research, practice, and policy development, contributing to ongoing shortcomings in women-centered cancer prevention and care.
The Lancet Commission, which authored the report, is advocating for a new feminist approach in cancer treatment to address and eliminate gender inequality.
Dr. Ophira Ginsburg from the Commission remarks, “The impact of a patriarchal society on women’s experiences of cancer has gone largely unrecognised.” She also adds, “Globally, women’s health is often focused on reproductive and maternal health, aligned with narrow anti-feminist definitions of women’s value and roles in society, while cancer remains wholly underrepresented.”
Recommendations
In 2020, out of the 3 million adults diagnosed with cancer under the age of 50, two-thirds were women.
Dr. Verna Vanderpuye from the Commission asserts, “Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in women and many die in their prime of life, leaving behind an estimated 1 million children in 2020 alone. There are important factors specific to women which contribute to this substantial global burden – by addressing these through a feminist approach we believe this will reduce the impact of cancer for all.”
The Commission puts forth the following recommendations for eliminating gender inequalities in this domain:
- Gender and gender-related considerations should be integrated into all cancer-related policies and guidelines.
- Strategies should be formulated to enhance awareness among women regarding cancer risk factors and symptoms.
- Ensuring equal access to early cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Source: BBC