Cancer is an increasing problem in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in the region and is one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly in developing countries. Although the incidence of cancer is still well below that in developed countries, the region is expected to experience the highest increase among all WHO regions in the coming two decades.

In addition, the largest increase in cancer incidence among the WHO regions in the next 15 years is likely to be in the Eastern Mediterranean where projection modelling predicts an increase of between 100% and 180%.

The region includes a wide range of economically diverse countries, from technically advanced countries with high level cancer care to countries with little or no cancer treatment capabilities. There are large differences in population size, wealth and health expenditure. The needs of the countries are likely to be very different in terms of cancer control, such that a uniform approach across the region would not be feasible, although there are likely to be many areas where similar or concerted approaches, of different actions, are possible.

Thus, recommendations are tailored, to the extent possible, to different resource levels, both among countries and in different regions or populations within countries.

It is hoped that resources available in the high-income countries of the region may be mobilized to augment programmes in the lower income countries, with benefits accruing, wherever possible, to both partners.

No cross-national survey of cancer control has been performed to date in the region and data are both scarce and often of sub-optimal quality, such that it is not possible to conduct a comprehensive and precise situation analysis. One important priority for the region is the development of additional data and its systematic analysis, so that cancer control interventions can be based on the most accurate evidence available.

However, some high quality information is available, and often sufficiently realistic extrapolations can be made for the purposes of strategic planning and prioritizing cancer control activities.