Merck and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have released a report on causes of cancer-related mortality in women.
Titled 'The Global Burden of Cancer in Women', the report is a result of the partnership between Merck and ACS and is a part of the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies initiative, which relates women's health and well-being with economic growth.
The report stated that four of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths of women can be prevented or detected early after a successful treatment.
Merck healthcare CEO and executive board member Belén Garijo said: "This collaboration is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership that recognises that no one sector can tackle this challenge alone.
“Improving women's health and well-being has an uplifting ripple effect on our world, and we know when women do better, our communities do better."
The research focuses on the increasing impact of cancer among women in low-income and middle-income countries and suggests solutions to reduce the economic and societal impact of the disease.
According to the study's findings, cancer can also impose a burden on economy in addition to impacting women and their families.
ACS global cancer control senior vice-president Ambassador Sally Cowal said: "It is incumbent upon both the public and private sectors, as members of the global health community, to find ways to reduce the impacts of cancer on women by increasing prevention and treatment, saving the lives of women across the globe."
In 2009, the global economic burden of cancer was estimated at $286bn due to premature death of women members of the workforce.
The partnership also seeks to promote the American Cancer Society's All of Me Young Scholars programme, which will educate health and civil society professionals in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and India to aid prevention and early detection of cancers among women in low-income and middle-income communities.
