cancer

A two-year-old girl and her mother wait to see a doctor at the paediatric oncology unit at a hospital in Accra, Ghana.
WHO/Ernest Ankomah

Childhood cancer care in Africa hit hard by pandemic

13 August 2021
Health

Nearly 30,000 children in sub-Saharan Africa are believed to have died from cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO). 

An oil platform in the Caspian Sea. Petroleum plants that process oil products can prove an increased cancer risk to those working there, or living nearby, a new IARC study shows.
Фото ООН

Increased cancer risk for petroleum industry workers and people living near plants: New UN study

29 April 2021
Health

People working in the petroleum industry or living near petroleum facilities are at increased risk of developing several different cancer types, according to a new report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARCWHO), part of the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

A nurse provides care for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in a hospital in Burera District, Rwanda.
© UNICEF/Karel Prinsloo

How COVID-19 has forced cancer patients and medics to juggle deadly trade-off

12 February 2021
Interviews

Some cancer patients are at higher risk from COVID-related illness or even death, but the World Health Organization’s (WHO) advice is clear: do not stay away from going to see your doctor if you need treatment or a professional diagnosis.

In an interview with Daniel Johnson, the UN health agency’s Dr André Ilbawi from WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, explains how the coronavirus has had a “profound” impact on cancer care everywhere.

Audio -
9'53"
Women with breast cancer receive free treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico City.
PAHO

News in Brief 2 February 2021

2 February 2021
News in Brief
  • Impact of COVID-19 on cancer care globally has been ‘profound’, warns WHO 
  • Call for ‘crimes against humanity’ probe in DR Congo 
  • DPR Korea: Prison system a place of ongoing grave abuses, warns Bachelet 
Audio -
3'35"
A nurse provides care for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in a hospital in Burera District, Rwanda.
© UNICEF/Karel Prinsloo

Impact of COVID-19 on cancer care has been ‘profound’, warns UN health agency 

2 February 2021
Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a “profound” impact on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer around the world, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, before highlighting that breast cancer has become the most common type of the disease. 

Women with breast cancer receive free treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico City.
PAHO

‘Transfats’ from processed foods may increase ovarian cancer risk

2 July 2020
Health

A likely link between processed and fried foods containing so-called “transfats” and ovarian cancer has been identified by UN scientists, they said on Thursday.

Hamburger with Fries. WHO has released the REPLACE guidelines, to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from food suplly.
Public Domain

News in Brief 2 July 2020

2 July 2020
News in Brief
  • Protect ordinary Afghans ahead of peace talks, urges UN Mission chief
  • ‘Transfats’ from processed foods may increase risk of developing ovarian cancer: UN scientists
  • UN’s top rights official urges Nicaragua to release political prisoners
Audio -
3'41"
A nurse chats with a woman receiving chemotherapy in a hospital in Burera District, Rwanda.
© UNICEF/Karel Prinsloo

Simple urine test could improve early detection of bladder cancer – WHO study

20 February 2020
Health

A new study conducted by researchers from the United Nations health agency revealed that bladder cancer mutations can be detected in urine up to 10 years before clinically diagnosing the disease.

Fati Yahaya fled to Cameroon after escaping armed insurgents in Nigeria.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Wednesday’s Daily Brief: Global Refugee Forum, Venezuela human rights, breast cancer hopes

18 December 2019
Migrants and Refugees

Our top stories for Wednesday include: First Global Refugee Forum ends in Geneva; Venezuela misery on multiple fronts, outlined by UN rights chief; and a breast cancer update that could make treatment affordable for millions more women.

Women receiving treatment for breast cancer, in Mexico.
OPS-OMS/Sebastián Oliel

Low cost breast cancer medicine move good news for women: UN health agency

18 December 2019
Health

More women could soon have access to an affordable version of an expensive life-saving breast cancer treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.