- Universal Cancer Awareness: The Key to Early Detection and Improved Patient Outcomes

On February 4, World Cancer Day 2024 beckons us to unite under the theme "Close the Care Gap." It's a rallying cry for everyone, from individuals to global communities, to join forces and combat cancer through awareness, prevention, and early treatment. BGI Genomics and our partners worldwide believe these combined efforts are vital to significantly lower the global burden of this disease and step closer to a world free from cancer's grip.

According to a World Health Organization Report, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.

This report lists other key facts:

·The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and prostate cancers.

·Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.

·Cancer-causing infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, are responsible for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

The WHO notes that early detection and screening are crucial in the fight against this disease. When cancer is detected early, treatment is more effective, and survival rates improve significantly. However, many individuals do not have access to early detection and screening methods, which is a major challenge in cancer care.

On such a topic, Zhang Lin, BGI Genomics Senior Product Manager, notes that: "Early cervical cancer detection is vital to save lives and eventually eliminate this dreaded disease in line with WHO's global strategy. BGI Genomics 2023 State of Cervical Cancer Awareness Reports shows increased awareness of women could be the missing link to boost vaccination and screening rates further."

Not knowing where to get vaccinated (38.7%) is the top reason stopping women from cervical cancer vaccination, followed by the absence of symptoms (36.8%) and fear of side effects (28.6%). Source: BGI Genomics 2023 State of Cervical Cancer Awareness Report

Dr. Rania Azmi, President of Kuwait-based Fadia Survive and Thrive International Cancer Association comments: "World Cancer Day and any day around the year that commemorate the importance of cancer prevention or awareness is essential to change the status quo in the fight against cancer. I believe that together, all cancer stakeholders - from patients, caregivers, and patient organizations, to nurses, oncologists and ministries of health around the world - we can be unstoppable in continuously improving the quality of life for all cancer patients, regardless of who they are and where they live."

Dr. Rania Azmi, President of Fadia Survive and Thrive International Cancer Association

BGI Genomics is committed to providing integrated solutions for precision medicine, including cancer diagnosis and treatment. In line with WHO guidelines to achieve better cancer care worldwide, our technology and expertise in genomics enable us to offer advanced screening and diagnostic tools for colorectal, cervical, hereditary cancer to help early detection and improve patient outcomes worldwide.

In summary, the call to "Close the Care Gap" encapsulates a vision of health equity that transcends cancer care, aiming to uplift and unite communities around the globe in the pursuit of a common goal: a world where every individual has the chance to lead a cancer-free life.