Results of the «Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2022» realization in 2019

Relevance: Cancer control is among the key social policy priorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan. 14,000 people die from cancer every year. As a result, our country faces an epidemiologic crisis caused by the increasing malignancy-related incidence and mortality, plus the increasing number of people living with cancer. In 2019, 186 326 patients with malignant neoplasms were under dynamic supervision in Kazakhstan; 52.5% lived for five years or more [1]. WHO prognosis a 1.5-2 times growth of annual malignancy-related incidence and mortality worldwide by 2022. The Republic of Kazakhstan follows the same trend, taking into account the growing welfare and life expectancy of the population and an increase in the detection of malignant neoplasms due to the introduction of early detection programs [2]. This study aimed to assess the implementation in 2019 of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2022. Results: Intermediate Comprehensive Plan implementation results showed the efficacy of the conducted measures as reflected by major cancer service indicators. Thus, the early detection has improved: stage 0-I detection amounted to 27.1% of all new cases (2019 target – 25.2%). This had a positive impact on cancer survival: in 2019, the proportion of 5-year or more survival was 54.7% for breast cancer (2019 target – 54.5%), 56.8% for cervical cancer (2019 target – 55.8%), 46.6% for colorectal cancer (2019 target – 45.8%) [1]. Conclusion: The Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan implementation results evidence cancer service improvement in the Republic of Kazakhstan as of 2019 (increased 5-year survival and decreased mortality). However, a high share of detection of visually accessible malignant neoplasms at generalized and advanced stages should be addressed in the coming years.