How is Performing Cancer Prevention Program in Albania? Implications for Policy Makers

Abstract

Background: In Albania, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are estimated responsible for 89% of all deaths, whereas cancer constitute 20% of them. There is a dramatic increaseof neoplasm accounting from 60 to 251 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants from 1993 until 2019.
Aim:The aim of the study is to evaluatecancer prevention program in Albania and provide insights for policy makers’ improvement strategies.This study will address the following research questions: Does Albania has drafted policies, strategy and action plan for cancer prevention; Does strategy, policies and documents drafted by Ministry of Health and Social Protection reflect rational solutions for prevention, healthcare and treatment of patients with cancer; Does Albania has a real time and functional monitoring and evaluation system in place for cancer prevention program in order to assess output of the programme.
Material and Method: Materials and methodology used is literaturereview and several databases like: PubMed, WHO, Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Albania ( MoHSPA), Albanian Institute of Statistics (AIS), Institute of Public Health of Albania (IPHA), Albanian Supreme Audit Institution (ALSAI), are utilized to search for relevant articles, reports and policy papers with keywords; cancer, prevention, screening, program, Albania.
Results and Discussion:Albania has drafted several policy papers in order to reach the Sustainable Development Goal - SDG 3, regarding Good Health and Wellbeing which explicitly aimsto reduce mortality related to non-communicable diseases, including cancers.However, there is lack of the transparent and comprehensive system for measuring, monitoring and reporting about progress towards fulfilment of objectives. National Register of Cancer (Albania) NRC does not update data on new cases, progress of cancer disease and mortality in progressive manner thus creating delays in complex aspects of the entire screening process.
Conclusions and Recommendation:Albania needs to improve theNRC and Reporting System, in order to supply updated data on new cases, progress of cancer disease and mortality, for assessment of effectiveness of these programs in order to ensure that the benefits of screening outweighs the, and incorporate into "evidence-based policy" decisions.