Women's cancers in developing countries: From research to an integrated health systems approach

The article focuses on two women's cancers, breast and cervical cancer, that are much more deadly in developing countries than in developed countries. Early detection can make a significant difference for the treatment outcome of these two cancers and there are now cost-effective tools for prevention and screening. The authors propose a new public health approach to these two cancers in developing countries where resources for effective cancer control are very limited and offer a framework for putting women's cancers in developing countries on the global public health agenda. The key areas are: 1. Proposals for a new, integrated public health approach to women's cancers (breast and cervical) in resource poor settings; 2. Reviews of the evidence for cost-effective screening and early detection of breast and cervical cancer, and discussion of some of the lessons learned from HIV/AIDS on an integrated health systems approach; 3. Outlines of ways to make a priority of women's cancers in developing countries on the political agenda of international agencies.