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As the global burden of non-communicable diseases continues to exert its toll, the prevention, screening, and early diagnosis of cancer should be a priority for all countries. This month, The Lancet Oncology publishes an open letter to Baroness Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. The letter, cosigned by eminent experts in cancer and population health, demands that issues surrounding cervical cancer and endemic childhood cancers are part of the Commonwealth Health Ministers meeting in May 2017. The letter urges Commonwealth states in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean to support a scale-up of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. The signatories also call for screening, early detection, and improved awareness of various childhood cancers, which can be treated successfully if caught early or even prevented through effective control of malnutrition and infectious diseases. However, poor awareness, late presentation, and under-diagnosis mean that mortality remains unacceptably high.

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