Practice guidelines: A global view

The incidence of cancer is rising dramatically throughout the world. This i s especially true in, the developing countries. The trend is due to rapidly aging populations, a decline in mortality from infectious disease, and inc reasing globalization and urbanization leading to unhealthy life-styles. Th e public fears cancer more than any other disease. Politicians and policy m akers are interested in developing highly visible strategies to reduce the burden of cancer and improve its care. Guidelines are an essential componen t of a national cancer program. They are vital for setting quality standard s and for ensuring equity for all components of the cancer plan. Evidence-b ased guidelines, agreed upon in advance by all those involved in cancer ser vice delivery, can be applied to education, prevention, detection, referral networks, treatment, and palliative care. They must be adapted to ileal wi th the wide economic spectrum as well as the varied financial mechanisms fo r health-care funding and the differing epidemiologic patterns of cancer. C lear tailoring to local expertise, facilities, and geography is essential. The widespread adoption of such guidelines would be the most effective meth od to significantly reduce global cancer morbidity and mortality over a sho rt time period.