Importance of Cytopathologic Diagnosis in Early Cancer Diagnosis in Resource-Constrained Countries

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kavita Yadav, Centre of Social Medicine & Community Health; Ian Cree, World Health Organization, Lyon; Andrew Field, University of NSW and Notre Dame University Medical Schools; Philippe Vielh, Medipath and American Hospital of Paris; Ravi Mehrotra, Chip Foundation, Noida, India
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-02-25
• Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/GO.21.00337
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Jco Global Oncology
• Volume: 8
• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; FNAB
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pathology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

The rising cancer burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) stresses already weak health care systems and poses unique challenges. In resource-constrained LMICs and in circumstances where most patients must pay out of pocket for diagnostic tests, these may not be available or affordable for many. Cytopathology provides a simple, inexpensive, standardized, and low-technology diagnostic procedure that is increasingly used as an effective tool to address the hurdles faced in cancer control programs in LMICs. This review explores the potential role of cytopathology in LMICs in reducing the cancer burden.