Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for 9.6 million deaths, according to the WHO. Cancer treatments can have a heavy impact on patients’ lives, exerting physical, emotional and financial strains on individuals but also on health systems. Early detection and access to treatment are important to minimise the complications associated with cancer, as later treatment can normally be more complex and require more effort to tackle the disease.
Pharmacists can play an important role in community education about modifiable risk factors such as diet, smoking habits or physical activity, in supporting the adoption of healthy lifestyles, in supporting patients to undergo frequent screening or even collaborate in screening campaigns for certain types of cancer, in managing oncological medication for optimal outcome, in supporting self-care and the management of symptoms that some treatments might cause and in providing emotional support.