Primary Health Care: Open Access

A Modern Health Equity Framework for Gynaecologic Cancer

Adebiyi S^{* *}Correspondence: Adebiyi S, Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria, Email:

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Introduction

Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. For the purposes of measurement, health equity means reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities in health and its determinants that adversely affect excluded or marginalized groups. Health equity means all patients have the same opportunity to achieve wellness. Mainly - Care quality, disease management, and genetic makeup are core parts of patient health [1]. However, stakeholders must also acknowledge that patient health is much more than medical interventions. Everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to be as healthy as possible, according to health equity. Health equity, in terms of measurement, refers to minimising and eventually eliminating inequities in health and its causes that disproportionately affect excluded or marginalised groups. Health equity indicates that all patients have the same chance to be healthy. Essentially, patient health is determined by the quality of care, disease management, and genetic makeup. Stakeholders must, however, recognise that patient health entails far more than medical interventions [2]. Gynaecologic cancers are frequently misdiagnosed and not considered early in women, resulting in a longer time to diagnosis and, as a result, a higher percentage of all cancer fatalities in women. Some of the key causes for this lack of awareness include health disparities mixed with a nonspecific symptom presentation. Because symptoms associated with gynaecologic cancers are easily confused with those of other diseases and can present in a variety of ways, it's critical to include these diagnoses in your differential diagnosis if a woman arrives with these symptoms. Once you've considered the condition in your differential, if it doesn't suit your patient's current history or test results, you can rule it out. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a symptom table that can be used to compare the similarities and differences between each form of gynaecologic cancer. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), breast and cervical cancers receive significantly less financing, advocacy, and public and political attention than in high-income nations (HICs) [3]. Women in these settings, on the other hand, have larger illness burdens, poorer access to care, are more likely to present with advanced stages of disease, and are more likely to die from their condition than women in HICs. The book Health, Equity, and Women's Cancers delves at this under-appreciated aspect of global health. The papers discuss the global burden of breast and cervical cancers, as well as inequities in their incidence, survival, and mortality; interventions that could bridge the gap between resource-rich countries and low- and middle-income countries; and changes in global policy that are required to provide safe, equitable, and affordable care for women [4]. Cancer health equity recognises that significant work remains to be done to overcome the historical momentum and existing social structures that contribute to differential cancer outcomes, and that this work can only be accomplished by collaborative efforts with the communities concerned. Poverty, socioeconomic circumstances, a lack of trust in doctors and medicine, low literacy, and limited health insurance are all variables that cause barriers to appropriate care along the cancer continuum, from prevention and screening to treatment and end-of-life care.

Conclusion

Cancer disparities can be reduced and, in some circumstances, eliminated by providing high-quality cancer care throughout the care continuum, from prevention through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment to survivorship and end-of-life care. Variations in the quality and delivery of cancer care, on the other hand, continue to be a substantial barrier to cancer health equity, particularly as new and more effective breakthroughs such as targeted and immunological medicines and technology emerge but are given inequitably. Every stakeholder, including those involved in direct practise, research, education, industry, health care organisations, economics, and legislation, must be involved in delivering high-quality cancer care that is accessible to all. Given the critical link between health insurance and health care access, efforts to protect access to health insurance can enhance cancer health outcomes.

References

1. Schulz, A.J., & Mullings, L.E. “Gender, Race, Class, & Health: Intersectional Approaches.” Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, (2006).
2. Siegel, R.L., et al. “Cancer statistics, 2019.” CA Cancer J Clin 69(2019):7-34.
3. Braveman, P.A., et al. “Health disparities and health equity: The issue is justice.” Am J Public Health 101.S1(2010):49-55.
4. Nipp, R.D., et al. “Financial burden of cancer clinical trial participation and the impact of a cancer care equity program.” Oncologist 21(2016):467-474.