Chronic non-communicable diseases, the European Chronic Disease Alliance—and cancer — Ann Oncol

Chronic non-communicable diseases, the European Chronic Disease Alliance—and cancer
H.-J. Senn1,* and D. Kerr2
Oxford JournalsMedicineAnnals of OncologyVolume22, Issue2Pp. 248-249.

+ Author Affiliations
1Scientific Director,Tumor and Breast Center, ZeTuP, St Gallen, Switzerland
2Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
*E-mail: hansjoerg.senn@zetup.ch)

During the last two decades, the world's most important health organisations, such as World Health Organisation (WHO) and others, have mainly concentrated on the prevention of contagious diseases like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, but clearly less on chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) such as cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes and its sequelae, chronic pulmonary, kidney and liver disease and finally cancer in its many organ types and expressions. Yet, CNCD account for more than 85% of death in the WHO-Region Europe [ 1] with likewise increasing tendency in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa.

Because most of these CNCD are treatable today, but many of them not (yet) curable, they generate an enormous financial burden due to increasing treatment and nursing costs as well as loss of productivity in the ‘best years’ of active life. Four major health determinants account for the majority of CNCDs and their continuously increasing death toll across Europe: Tobacco, unhealthy diet, too much alcohol and lack of physical activity [ 2]. All of them could potentially be successfully addressed to prevent chronic disease and premature death of the European population. However, more than 97% of health expenses are presently spent on treatment and only <3% are invested for disease prevention in most European countries, and only a small fraction of it specifically for cancer … Chronic non-communicable diseases, the European Chronic Disease Alliance—and cancer — Ann Oncol