Scientific innovation must match equitable access, says Dr Umer Majeed Khaja
SRINAGAR: Calling the World Health Organization’s (WHO) newly released Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 a “defining roadmap for the future of global cancer control,” Kashmir-based cancer researcher Dr. Umer Majeed Khaja said the report underscores that the world’s greatest challenge is no longer merely discovering new cancer treatments, but ensuring equitable access to proven interventions that can prevent, detect and treat cancer.
Dr. Khaja, currently serving as a Research Scientist at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), has professional affiliations with leading international oncology organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), has also contributed to international collaborative research on cancer disparities. He said the WHO report marks a defining shift in the global cancer agenda by emphasizing that scientific innovation must be matched by equitable implementation, stronger health systems and people-centred cancer care.
According to the report, approximately 20.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2024, while nearly 10 million people died from the disease. Without stronger global action, annual new cancer cases are projected to rise to 35 million by 2050, driven largely by population ageing, demographic changes and increasing exposure to preventable risk factors. The report also estimates that one in every five people will develop cancer during their lifetime, underscoring the growing global public health burden posed by the disease.
“The WHO report reminds us that scientific progress alone will not reduce the global burden of cancer unless proven interventions are translated into accessible, affordable and equitable healthcare for every patient,” Dr. Khaja said.
He noted that the report recognizes remarkable advances in molecular diagnostics, precision medicine, targeted therapies and immunotherapy, but cautions that these scientific breakthroughs alone cannot transform cancer outcomes if patients continue to face barriers in accessing timely diagnosis, essential medicines and comprehensive treatment.
“The benefits of modern cancer research must extend beyond laboratories and reach patients irrespective of where they live or their socioeconomic circumstances. Scientific innovation achieves its true value only when it is translated into equitable healthcare,” he said.
Dr. Khaja further noted that the WHO report highlights persistent disparities in cancer survival across the world, with patients in resource-limited settings continuing to experience delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and limited supportive care despite unprecedented advances in oncology.
Referring to another key finding, he said the report reinforces that nearly 40 percent of cancers remain preventable through evidence-based public health interventions.
“Comprehensive tobacco control, healthier lifestyles, increased physical activity, vaccination against infection-associated cancers, reduction in harmful alcohol consumption and minimizing exposure to environmental carcinogens remain among the most effective and cost-effective public health interventions for reducing the global burden of cancer,” he said.
Dr. Khaja also welcomed the report’s emphasis on strengthening health systems while cautioning against an overreliance on technological advances alone.
“Cancer control must extend beyond hospitals and oncology centres. Prevention, primary healthcare, early detection, pathology services, affordable treatment, palliative care and survivorship support should all form part of an integrated health system. Investments should not only create new treatments but also ensure that existing evidence-based interventions reach every community,” he said.
Describing cancer as not merely a biomedical disease but also a major social and economic challenge, Dr. Khaja said the report rightly recognizes its far-reaching impact on individuals, families, healthcare systems and national development.
“The future of cancer control will be determined not only by scientific discoveries but by our collective willingness to implement them. Governments, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers and communities all have a shared responsibility in reducing the global burden of cancer,” he added.
The WHO report proposes three strategic priorities for the future of global cancer control: strengthening health system capabilities, improving protection for people affected by cancer through prevention and social support, and ensuring that research and innovation are aligned with public health priorities and equitable access to care.
Describing the report as an important call for coordinated global action, Dr. Khaja said it provides governments, researchers and health systems with an opportunity to move beyond celebrating scientific breakthroughs and focus equally on delivering equitable, people-centred cancer care.
“The next chapter in the fight against cancer will not be defined solely by what science discovers, but by how effectively societies implement what is already known to save lives and improve quality of life,” he concluded.