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Lancet Commission Finds Global Cancer Genetic Testing Access Unequal
A new cancer commission says people around the world do not have equal access to genetic tests and treatments.
These tests can help doctors choose medicines that match a patient’s cancer.
Each year, about 7–8 million people may need these tests.
Many people, especially in poorer countries, cannot get them.
Only 2% of relevant cancer trials happen in low- and middle-income countries.
About half of women who may need BRCA testing for ovarian cancer do not receive it.
Cancer medicines are becoming much more expensive, which makes the problem harder.
The commission suggested plans to help countries choose useful tests, train workers, share data responsibly, and expand precision cancer care fairly.
A Lancet Oncology commission reports profound inequality in access to genomic testing and matched cancer treatments worldwide.
Only 2% of biomarker-based cancer trials take place in low- and middle-income countries, compared with nearly 81% in high-income countries.
An estimated 7–8 million people with cancer need standard-of-care molecular testing each year, but coverage is not universal.
About half of the estimated 314,000 women eligible for annual BRCA testing for ovarian cancer do not receive it.
The commission proposed prioritization tools, workforce standards, responsible data-sharing principles, 10 recommendations, and a phased implementation roadmap.
- Who
- An international team of authors behind a Lancet Oncology commission.
- What
- The commission reported major global inequalities in cancer genetic testing, genomic treatment access, and related research.
- Where
- Worldwide, with particularly limited access in low- and middle-income countries.
- When
- The report cites approximately USD 252 billion in cancer-medicine spending in 2024 and projects USD 441 billion by 2029.
- Why
- The commission says precision oncology has expanded faster than its population-level benefits, while costs and complexity have increased.
Key facts
- Annual testing need
- An estimated 7–8 million people with cancer worldwide need standard-of-care molecular testing each year.
- Biomarker trial share in LMICs
- 2% of biomarker-based cancer trials are conducted in low- and middle-income countries.
- Biomarker trial share in high-income countries
- Nearly 81% of biomarker-based cancer trials are conducted in high-income countries.
- Ovarian cancer BRCA eligibility
- Approximately 314,000 women with ovarian cancer are estimated to be eligible for BRCA testing annually.
- BRCA testing gap
- Around half of eligible women do not receive the testing.
- Cancer-medicine spending in 2024
- Global spending is estimated at approximately USD 252 billion.
- Projected cancer-medicine spending in 2029
- Global spending is projected to reach USD 441 billion.
Sources
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