Excluding non-melanoma skin cancerebanon is currently undergoing an epidemiological transition with an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable and degenerative diseases. The country will need to strengthen its health services capacity for timely response and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), especially cancer diseases.
The highest burden among cancers in both sexes is breast, prostate, lung, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and colorectal cancers, all of which form approximately 65 % of cancer cases.
Considering Lebanon’s cancer burden, it is encouraging that the country’s most common cancers are preventable through tobacco and obesity control. However, current measures to reduce tobacco consumption through enforcement of the tobacco control law are sporadic, and further activities to promote physical activity and healthy diet are recommended. Early detection efforts are underway for breast cancer, though there currently are no population-based, organized breast cancer screening programs in place in Lebanon.
The diagnostic and treatment capacity, particularly in the private sector, is a notable strength. There is adequate access to all modalities of cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) in Lebanon, though a significant portion of the Ministry of Public Health budget is allocated for four chemotherapy drugs. Palliative care, recently established as a speciality in Lebanon, is currently challenged by lack of training, access to medications, and difficulties for reimbursement of patients.
At present, Lebanon has a national committee representing major stakeholders in cancer control but not a fully endorsed national cancer control plan. The National Cancer Registry is currently a pathology-based registry and may serve as a strong basis to develop a population-based cancer registry. Establishment of a national cancer control plan and building the capacity of the current registry are critical activities to set a framework for long-term planning and implementation of a sustainable cancer strategy.
Currently, Lebanon has many elements in place for successful implementation of a national cancer control program, namely a strong commitment on the part of national authorities to fight cancer, a generally high level of diagnostic and treatment services (primarily in the private sector), facilities and capacity for training in all areas of cancer control and strong dedication among health professionals working in cancer to carry activities forward.