Exploring the role of innovation, investment and policy in improving patient outcomes

Inform your discussions and decisions this week.?Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, claiming nearly 10 million lives in 2020 – accounting for nearly one in six deaths globally. Its incidence continues to rise. In 2022 there were over 18 million new cancer cases worldwide, a number that is expected to increase by 55% by 2040 (not adjusted for population growth).

These statistics paint a bleak picture – yet hope stems from the fact that efforts to develop cancer-fighting vaccines are showing renewed potential, as are broader innovations in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. For instance, women with breast cancer are now living longer than before. There are over 5.5 million breast cancer survivors across Europe, accounting for a quarter of all cancer survivors across the continent. Europe saw a 23% reduction in the age-standardised death rate of breast cancer between 1990 and 2019. Despite this progress, the needs and preferences of women with breast cancer, whether in the early or advanced stages of the disease, are often overlooked in both policy and practice.

Advancing breast cancer care in Europe: a roadmap to a women-centric approach?is an Economist Impact report sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo Europe. In it, we examine the state of breast cancer care for women across Europe’s five most populous countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK. The roadmap seeks to define and thus advance what constitutes women-centric breast cancer care. The findings are based on insights from over 60 multidisciplinary experts. Our research found that significant disparities in access to breast cancer care persist. Although the policy landscape for women-centred breast cancer care is moving forward, challenges remain in putting better policies into practice. Finally, the report found that improved public health messaging and better resource allocation are urgently needed to strengthen cancer prevention efforts.

Also in this issue, understand how improved health investment can contribute to US economic growth, from our recently-published healthcare as an investment research programme. Separately, we look at the impact of rising global temperatures on outdoor workers' kidney health in Latin America and spotlight the broader socioeconomic and healthcare implications of global warming. Plus, read the key takeaways from our conversation with regional experts at the Global Health Exhibition recently hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh.

In Europe, breast cancer is the most common cancer for women, representing 12.5% of all new cancers and 26.4% of new cancers diagnosed in women. Our report examines the state of women-centric breast cancer care across the five most populous European countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK.

From brain research to cancer therapies, explore how Canada's life-sciences ecosystem is leading advances across the sector.

The tenth anniversary of Economist Impact’s World Cancer Series Europe will reflect on achievements in cancer control over the last decade and look to the future. The next decade promises better cancer control powered by bioscience, technology and data-driven insights. Yet challenges lie ahead for access to timely cancer treatment. The backdrop is an ageing European population, meaning more cancer. Medical workforce shortages are an increasing problem, and healthcare budgets are under strain. This year’s event will focus on inclusive access to care, a renewed commitment to patient-centricity and better outcomes for all. Join the World Cancer Series Europe to help shape the next ten years of cancer-control in Europe and worldwide.