Cancer care in Iraq

The “Cancer Care in Iraq: A Descriptive Study” portrays the scale of the current and future challenges facing the Iraqi cancer program, it lay down a well balanced statements, suggestions and research questions that require vigilant attention. This report can also provide a baseline for future monitoring of trends and for assessing the progress made in addressing the cancer burden in Iraq. The impact of cancer as a disease on our society is mounting; a road map to revise the perceived epidemic is needed. This can happen through strengthening our national monitoring and surveillance, scaling up the implementation of evidence-based measures to reduce risk factors (like tobacco use), and improving access to cost-effective healthcare interventions to prevent suffering, disabilities and premature death. As an Iraqi oncologist, I know that we are still long way from being able to deliver our goals of delivering world class outcomes. I look with optimism to the day were we will achieve our aims through engagement with all key stakeholders and the development of effective partnerships for the delivery of improved cancer care. (Yasser Haba; MD, MRCP, FRCR; Advisor,Iraqi Cancer Board)