"Cancer is an escalating yet neglected health crisis among refugees, migrants, and populations affected by conflict."
BUFFALO, NY – April 13, 2026 – A new review was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on March 31, 2026, titled " Cancer without borders: Policy frameworks for oncology care in humanitarian and conflict settings ."
The study—led by corresponding author Pragnesh Parmar, along with Gunvanti Rathod from AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana, India —brings together evidence from peer-reviewed studies, global health reports, and case examples from regions such as Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine to examine the structural, ethical, and policy barriers limiting access to cancer care in humanitarian settings. Their findings show that oncology services are often excluded from emergency health priorities, resulting in delayed diagnosis, treatment interruptions, and reduced access to palliative care.
The review further highlights that disrupted infrastructure, legal constraints, and fragmented policies disproportionately impact vulnerable populations—including women, children, and the elderly—who often present with advanced disease stages due to delays in care.
"Addressing cancer in humanitarian contexts is not merely a technical challenge but a moral imperative."
The authors conclude that integrating oncology into humanitarian response frameworks is essential to ensure equitable access to care and improve outcomes for displaced populations. They emphasize the need for coordinated global strategies, including cross-border care models, tele-oncology, and policy reform, to address this critical gap in global health systems.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28856
