scholarly journals The Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 186s-186s
Author(s):  
B. Akinwande ◽  
A. Nitzsche

Amount raised: Background and context: International financial institutions (IFIs), including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank Group, multilateral and regional development banks, have played a major role in the social and economic development of low- and middle-income countries. In addition to policy expertise, economic analysis and knowledge products, IFIs provide considerable financial resources to national governments to tackle a wide range of health challenges. Intergovernmental organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are providing critical support to advance the socioeconomic development of its member states as well. While there have been some collaborative initiatives to work with national governments to address the growing cancer crisis, more could still be done. With the aim of building a coalition of global partners committed to addressing the growing cancer crisis in low- and middle-income member states, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approached Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and OIC to highlight the lack of access to effective and sustainable radiotherapy in these member states and to explore potential opportunities to jointly assist member states in their efforts to improve cancer control and expand their radiation medicine services. In 2016, the IAEA, the IDB and the OIC formalized their collaboration through the signing of practical arrangements which encompass technical support, resource mobilization and the implementation of joint activities in comprehensive cancer control in common member states. As the international community acknowledges the increasing global cancer burden and includes an NCD-related target in the sustainable development goals, it is imperative for national governments, multilateral and intergovernmental organizations, including IFIs, to work together if the target is to be met. Aim: To share the experiences of the IAEA-IDB-OIC collaboration and its results so far to provide national decision makers and cancer specialists with a framework to engage a variety of critical international players in their fight against cancer. Strategy/Tactics: IAEA-OIC-IDB practical arrangements on cooperation in the area of comprehensive cancer control in common member states. Program process: Bringing IFIs and low- and middle-income member states together to review their financing needs for the implementation of priority interventions in national cancer control programs and to identify resource mobilization opportunities. Costs and returns: Member states cancer control programs funded by the Islamic Development Bank, and potentially, by other IFIs. What was learned: As the international community acknowledges the rising global cancer burden IFIs have increased their interest in working with governments in low- and middle-income countries to fight cancer. It is important for these countries to seize the opportunities provided by this new development.

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shailja C. Shah ◽  
Violet Kayamba ◽  
Richard M. Peek ◽  
Douglas Heimburger

The rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases globally, with a strikingly disproportionate increase in prevalence and related mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is a major threat to sustainable development. The epidemiologic trend of cancers in LMICs is of particular concern. Despite a lower incidence of cancer in LMICs compared with high-income countries, total cancer-related mortality is significantly higher in LMICs, especially in people younger than 65 years of age. The enormous economic impact of premature mortality and lost productive life years highlights the critical importance of galvanizing cancer prevention and management to achieve sustainable development. The rising burden of cancer in LMICs stresses an already weak health care and economic infrastructure and poses unique challenges. Although the WHO acknowledges that the effective management of cancer relies on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and access to appropriate multimodal therapy, the placement of priority on early detection cannot be assumed to be effective in LMICs, where limited downstream resources may be overwhelmed by the inevitable increases in number of diagnoses. This review discusses several factors and considerations that may compromise the success of cancer control programs in LMICs, particularly if the focus is only on early detection through screening and surveillance. It is intended to guide optimal implementation of cancer control programs by accentuating challenges common in LMICs and by emphasizing the importance of cancer prevention where relevant so that communities and stakeholders can work together to devise optimal means of combatting the growing burden of cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 3) ◽  
pp. 46s-46s
Author(s):  
Ethan Thayumanavan ◽  
Catherine Duggan ◽  
Barri M. Blauvelt

Purpose Women with breast cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have worse health outcomes than their counterparts in high-income countries (HICs). Improved outcomes in HICs are attributable to more rigorous breast cancer control policies, implementation of evidence-based guidelines, and greater national investment in health care. In resource-limited settings, identifying the most effective resource-appropriate policies can be a challenge. The proposed study will provide a framework to identify unmet breast cancer policy and infrastructure needs in LMICs and will aid in the prioritization of key elements of successful breast cancer control programs. Building on previous work, we will develop a framework for policy analysis and conduct a breast cancer policy needs assessment through a comparative analysis of attitudes and preferences for breast cancer control elements in 30 countries. Methods The proposed observational survey-based study will measure and compare attitudes and preferences for breast cancer control across 24 LMICs and six reference HICs from across the six WHO regions, stratifying countries by health care spending and mortality-to-incidence ratios. This study will be a cross-sectional survey of medical, policy, and advocacy experts in breast cancer from each of the selected countries. Research will be conducted in three phases. First, we will conduct key informant interviews of international breast cancer experts. Then we will develop and pilot a survey tool. Finally, we will conduct the full survey in countries. The study will use analysis of variance, conjoint analysis, and best-worst scaling to analyze survey results. Results This study will assess current breast cancer control needs, prioritize elements of a comprehensive breast cancer control plan, and determine attitudes about the potential of emerging technologies to improve breast cancer control. Conclusion This study will facilitate the improvement of health outcomes for women with breast cancer by assessing the specific unmet breast cancer policy and infrastructure needs in LMICs and prioritizing elements to improve breast cancer control programs. The study thus provides a resource-appropriate framework to improve breast cancer control policy, reform, and implementation. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/site/ifc . Barri M. Blauvelt Stock or Other Ownership: AstraZeneca, Biogen, Celgene, Ecolab, Elite Pharmaceuticals Consulting or Advisory Role: Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis


2009 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 568-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe B Harford ◽  
Brenda K Edwards ◽  
Ambakumar Nandakumar ◽  
Paul Ndom ◽  
Riccardo Capocaccia ◽  
...  

Cancer is a growing global health issue, and many countries are ill-prepared to deal with their current cancer burden let alone the increased burden looming on the horizon. Growing and aging populations are projected to result in dramatic increases in cancer cases and cancer deaths particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is imperative that planning begin now to deal not only with those cancers already occurring but also with the larger numbers expected in the future. Unfortunately, such planning is hampered, because the magnitude of the burden of cancer in many countries is poorly understood owing to lack of surveillance and monitoring systems for cancer risk factors and for the documentation of cancer incidence, survival and mortality. Moreover, the human resources needed to fight cancer effectively are often limited or lacking. Cancer diagnosis and cancer care services are also inadequate in low-and middle-income countries. Late-stage presentation of cancers is very common in these settings resulting in less potential for cure and more need for symptom management. Palliative care services are grossly inadequate in low- and middle-income countries, and many cancer patients die unnecessarily painful deaths. Many of the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries have been at least partially addressed by higher income countries. Experiences from around the world are reviewed to highlight the issues and showcase some possible solutions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 154s-154s ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Brierley ◽  
M. Piñeros ◽  
F. Bray ◽  
M. Ervick ◽  
M. Parkin ◽  
...  

Background and context: Cancer control requires knowledge of cancer incidence. Information on anatomic extent of disease (stage) at presentation significantly enhances incidence and mortality data in understanding the cancer burden. The most frequently used staging classification of cancer disease extent is the tumor, node, metastases (TNM). Population-based registries (PBCR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) frequently have insufficient information to derive complete TNM data, either because of inability to perform the necessary evaluations or because of a lack of recorded information. Aim: To develop a simplified system of recording extent of disease to facilitate the collection of stage data by PBCR and enhance the utility of data to facilitate cancer control in LMICs. Strategy/Tactics: A working group with representatives from the UICC (Union for International Cancer Control), the IARC (International Agency for Cancer Research), IACR (International Association of Cancer Registries) and the NCI (National Cancer Institute) was formed and Essential TNM was developed. When the T, N, and M categories have not been recorded in the clinical records or if the complete data to determine the categories is unavailable, the cancer registrar can code extent of disease according to the Essential TNM scheme. Once a cancer registrar had identifies the presence of metastatic disease (M1) this is recorded and additional information is unnecessary to establish that stage of disease. If there is no metastatic disease the extent of nodal disease is recorded. In turn if there is no nodal disease the extent/size of the primary carcinoma is recorded. The extent of disease can be summarized in the following order: M, N and T. Program/Policy process: Diagrams and rules for combining Essential TNM elements into stage groups (I-IV) or to be expressed as “distant”, “regional” or “localized” if only the most limited data were available, were developed for breast, cervix, prostate and colon cancers and will be demonstrated. Once the schema were developed they were verified in Georgia (USA) and field tested in Ecuador, Malawi, Cote d'Ivoire and Zimbabwe. Outcomes: There was good agreement between the stage identified through Essential TNM and that within the Georgia State Registry. The field tests however identified three key issues: the underidentification of distant metastases, inaccurate the collection of lymph node data and improved training needs. In particular there was uncertainty in the identification of when lymph node involvement was considered to be distant metastatic or regional. In view of this, refinements to the schemas have been made to simplify the collection of nodal data. The schema have been updated to ensure compatibility with the 8th edition of TNM. Training programs are being developed and Essential TNM is being expanded. What was learned: Essential TNM can be used by LMIC PBCR to facilitate the collection of stage data. Further refinements and training are needed and are underway.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 18s-18s
Author(s):  
Vanessa J. Eaton ◽  
Megan K. Kremzier ◽  
Doug Pyle

Abstract 28 Background: The global burden of cancer is growing in low- and middle-income countries where availability of specialists to treat cancer is acutely low. To detect cancer earlier, patients must be educated about their risk for cancer and be screened when appropriate. In response to a growing need for cancer education in primary health care, ASCO International created the Cancer Control in Primary Care course, which was piloted in 2015. The purpose of the program is to increase the knowledge of primary health workers so as to recognize signs and symptoms of cancer, increase their ability to talk with patients about their risk, and to know how and when to refer patients for additional screening or diagnostic testing. Methods: ASCO collects data from participants in two stages: an on-site evaluation and a follow-up survey 12 months after the workshop. The survey instruments include questions about practice changes, learning objectives, and demographic information. Results: Follow-up surveys have been conducted for four courses. Ninety-three percent of respondents have reported that they made practice changes after the course. In addition, 90% reported that communication with patients about their risk for cancer had increased, 76% reported that they are screening patients for cancer more than before, and 74% reported that they have worked with specialists to plan treatment for their patients with cancer. Conclusion: Results of the Cancer Control in Primary Care course are positive, and ASCO will continue to collaborate with society and institutional partners to train primary health workers around the world to raise awareness of cancer. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document