Rising Burden of Gynaecological Cancers in Developing Countries

The burden of gynaecological cancers is rising in developing countries, but the magnitude of the problem tends to be underestimated because of the absence of population-based cancer registries in many of the countries. Lack of access to early detection, late presentation at the time of diagnosis and inadequate personnel and resources to manage advanced malignancies have led to high mortality rates in these countries. This chapter discusses the burden of cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus and gestational trophoblastic disease. To stem the rising burden of disease, there is an urgent need for developing countries to invest in cancer control strategies, particularly primary prevention and treatment, health infrastructures, capacity building and promote innovative translational research of new interventions. Strategies for reducing the burden for each cancer type including surveillance, primary prevention, secondary prevention, diagnoses, treatment and survivorship were discussed.