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The need to build on recent progress

This was followed by the 2018 publication

Lung Cancer in Latin America: Time to Stop

Looking Away.^33 Although the focus of this

study was substantially different, parallels can

be drawn with certain general themes in the

present study. Then and now there is evidence

of the need to ramp up prevention and early

detection efforts across all types of cancer.

Gaps in access to cancer care noted in 2018

also prevail for segments of the population,

although the expansion of UHC programmes

is proof of progress in this area. The 2018

study also noted a lag in palliative care and

long-term support strategies for patients and

survivors, which is also evidenced in this new

examination.

A few caveats

To understand the value of the ICP requires

transparency about its limitations, an

unavoidable issue in any scheme that models a

complex reality.

• First, we could include only indicators
  that drew on broadly comparable data
  available across all countries. In aiming for
  global comparability, some of the country
  specificity and context can be lost.


• Data availability constrained the choices.
  For example, reporting on cancer control
  spending is not generally available.


• For some indicators we rely on the latest
  available data from international sources.
  There may be lags in this information
  as global studies take a few years to
  be completed. In addition, some of the

information may rely on a single data point,

such as self-reporting from officials.

• The need for consistency in measuring
  results across countries can sometimes
  throw up anomalous scores. For example,
  countries may have different coverages
  or strategies for different interventions
  depending on their priorities and
  epidemiological profiles. For example, a
  country may address hepatitis B vaccination
  differently if prevalence is low or high. But
  for the purpose of regional comparability
  we take only one view, and that is total
  coverage for under-one year olds.


• This is mainly a study of inputs (such as
  policy, institutions, resources, infrastructure
  and governance). Hence, results can be
  contradictory with observed outcomes.
  For example, a country with good recent
  policies may score well even if healthcare
  outcomes are not good. A self-assessment of
  the quality of implementation of policies is
  a crucial task for country leaders in ensuring
  that these translate into positive outcomes.


• Measuring policies, as some indicators do,
  has its difficulties. Policies may not last long
  or may not be implemented well enough
  to cause an impact. Why measure policies?
  Because policy is the first step in recognising
  a problem and organising action. However,
  policy is still deficient in some countries.


• Lack of data across every country
  makes it possible for the ICP to measure
  implementation to only a limited
  degree. Following through on policy

(^33) The Economist Intelligence Unit, Lung Cancer in Latin America: Time to Stop Looking Away, 2018.