The Pan American Health Organisation is urging Latin American and Caribbean governments to prioritise access to essential cancer medicines, supplies, and equipment.
In a statement marking World Cancer Day on Tuesday, PAHO said cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the Americas region, claiming the lives of more than 1.4 million people and resulting in more than four million new cases annually.
PAHO said while progress has been made, several barriers still exist, including high costs, inefficient procurement systems, and limited distribution networks. It said addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including updated treatment protocols and pooled procurement to increase predictability and address the high price of cancer medicines.