Highlighting Inequities in Cancer Care Between Low and High Income Countries

Fighting Cancer

The disparity between high-income countries (HICs) and low-middle-income countries (LMICs) continues to persist, with an increasing emphasis on the impact it has on children with cancer. The American Childhood Cancer Organization states that 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year globally; however, thousands of children in LMICs remain undiagnosed, widening the gap between those who receive treatment and those who do not. 

Non-communicable diseases in LMICs are rarely documented due to the low diagnostic rates and the focus on communicable diseases. Children with cancer face more burdens than those facing communicable diseases, trying to battle both this violent disease and external infectious vectors. A conversation with Andrew Kung, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Andreas Dracopoulos, co-president of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, discusses the SNF Global Pediatric Cancer Program and its goals to increase access to primary diagnosis and treatment for children with cancer in LMICs.

Dr. Kung and Dr. Dracopoulos both emphasize how LMICs lack the necessary resources to support patients and their families. In HICs, there is greater access to facilities staffed with trained specialists who can diagnose cancer patients more rapidly, facilitating earlier treatment to combat the disease effectively. Cancer treatment is an expensive process in both developed and developing countries. Without insurance, cancer treatment can cost roughly $150,000. However, treatment centers in HICs often have insurance plans available to help cover these costs. 

The SNF Global Pediatric Cancer Program began at the SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki in Greece in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York to provide pediatric oncology expertise globally. By late 2026, the program aims to enhance medical services and education, positively impacting children with cancer in LMICs. The initiative’s purpose is to increase global collaboration to “optimize outcomes for young patients worldwide by expanding clinical care expertise, educational and specialized training, and collaborative translational research,” beginning in Northern Greece and Southeast Europe, with hopes of expanding globally to address the needs of LMICs. The program provides peer consultations for clinicians who need assistance in oncology, radiology, and surgery, as well as provides a vast amount of educational training.

Access to healthcare that bridges the gap between HICs and LMICs is essential for fostering a just global healthcare system. Dr. Kung and Dr. Dracopoulos assert that with the help of their program, the future of pediatric healthcare can be greatly improved, providing equitable access to cancer treatment in every country, supported by high-quality education.

By Diya Mehta