SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
The OECD and European Commission report titled Delivering High Value Cancer Care: European Cancer Inequalities Registry Report has found that the global burden of cancer continues to rise, with new cases in EU countries surging by 30% since 2000. A concerning trend is the 16% increase in early-onset cancer (ages 15–49) among women, driven largely by thyroid, breast, skin melanoma, and colorectal cancers. While mortality rates have dropped significantly—by 18% in women and 26% in men—due to advancements in early detection and multidisciplinary treatment, these gains are fragile and unevenly distributed across socio-economic groups.
Institutional Challenges and Service Delivery Current systems face systemic bottlenecks that compromise the value of care delivered to patients:
Diagnostic Delays: Up to 40% of colorectal cancers are still diagnosed through emergency departments, a route associated with a seven-fold higher 30-day mortality rate compared to planned surgeries.
Workforce Gaps: Shortages in oncologists and nurses are exacerbated by an aging workforce and 19% burnout rates, while demand for radiotherapy is projected to rise 25% by 2050.
Resource Optimization: Shifting care from inpatient to outpatient settings, such as “hospital-at-home” models and day surgeries, is essential to reduce waste and manage a 59% projected increase in per-capita cancer spending by 2050.
Standardizing Care: Clinician-led efforts such as the Choosing Wisely campaign are being promoted to reduce low-value cancer care by discouraging unnecessary health interventions that do not provide clear patient benefits.
What are “Early-Onset Cancers” and why is their rise significant? Early-onset cancers are diagnoses occurring in adults aged 15–49. The 2026 OECD report highlights that these cases have risen by 16% among women, primarily due to shifts in metabolic risks, lifestyle factors like diet and physical inactivity, and improved diagnostic scrutiny. This shift necessitates adapted survivorship and support services, as younger patients must undergo significantly more years of treatment and monitoring, placing long-term pressure on health and social care systems.
What is the "Choosing Wisely" campaign mentioned in the 2026 OECD report? Choosing Wisely is a global clinician-led initiative that identifies and promotes recommendations against low-value medical interventions. In oncology, these recommendations aim to reduce unnecessary health interventions—such as routine scans for asymptomatic patients after treatment or aggressive chemotherapy for low-survival cancers at the end of life—to ensure that resources are directed toward care that is truly effective and aligned with patient preferences.
People-Centredness and Financial Protection Data from the PARIS survey indicates that people living with cancer are more vulnerable than other primary healthcare patients, yet only one-third report receiving highly people-centred care.
Financial Toxicity: 16% of patients postpone care due to financial burdens, highlighting the need for laws like the Right to be Forgotten, which prevents financial discrimination against survivors in loans or insurance.
Return to Work: A cancer diagnosis reduces the likelihood of employment by 14%, necessitating structured workplace reintegration and gradual return-to-work protocols.
Policy Relevance
The 2026 OECD analytical report serves as a transition from general cancer awareness to precision human capital governance in oncology.
Bridging the Literacy Gap: Men with low education face an 83% higher cancer mortality rate, requiring culturally tailored communication and community-based screening initiatives.
Standardizing High-Value Care: Implementing “Choosing Wisely” recommendations to avoid low-value interventions, such as aggressive chemotherapy at the end of life, is critical for aligning health spending with patient well-being.
Technological Leapfrogging: Adopting AI-assisted screening and molecular diagnostics is mandatory for meeting the surge in demand for oncology services without over-burdening tertiary hospitals.
Follow the full report here: Delivering High Value Cancer Care: European Cancer Inequalities Registry Analytical Report