New study finds major cancer care delays in Nepal: Urgent need to speed up early detection, diagnosis, and treatment

A new article by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partners reveals substantial delays across the cancer care pathway in Nepal, with many patients waiting months between first symptoms and treatment. The findings come from the DElays in CAncer care in Nepal (DECAN) project, a prospective cohort study aiming to quantify delays and assess their impact for six of the most common cancer types: breast, lung, cervical, stomach, colorectal, and oral cancer. The study, published in BMJ Global Health, also examined how these delays relate to patient age, socioeconomic status, and stage at diagnosis.

Singh D, Rana A, Adhikari S, Lucas E, Muwonge R, Bhoosal A, et al.
A comprehensive assessment of intervals in care pathways among cancer patients in a limited resourced setting: results of a prospective patterns of care study in 2022 in Nepal.
BMJ Glob Health. Published online 10 November 2025;
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019297

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