I welcome the AstraZeneca and Concordia Summit jointly developed and recently released Comprehensive Breast Cancer Policy Report, which I had the privilege, during the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit, as an AstraZeneca Global Breast Cancer Care Council Member, of moderating the special First Ladies Luncheon with world leaders, medical professionals, health advocates, and policymakers, spotlighting the issue of breast cancer and women’s health on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-level Week, contributing insights directly to this critical report and important initiative.

Breast cancer ranks as the first or second leading cause of death for women in 95% of the world, claiming roughly two breast cancer-related deaths every 1.5 minutes. United by a shared commitment to building a future where breast cancer is no longer a death sentence, our discussions during the luncheon focused on actionable steps governments, communities, and industry can take to improve breast cancer outcomes.

Key findings from the report emphasise the critical role of early detection and equitable access to care, as with effective screening and timely diagnosis, breast cancer outcomes improve dramatically. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa provided frontline insights on how integrating breast cancer services into existing health infrastructure, such as maternal health programs and community health classes, can lead to further patient empowerment, with the report calling for robust navigation systems to guide patients through the complexities of cancer care.

The report also advocates for creating a global breast cancer policy dashboard to track progress, identify gaps, and share best practices, as such tools enable policymakers to implement informed, evidence-based interventions. As a global advocate for women’s health and gender equity, I am inspired by the collective commitment demonstrated, and I look forward to advancing this critical report, advocating for patients, and driving global collaboration to redefine the landscape of women’s health.

Read the Breast Cancer Policy Report

 

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