Landmark Supplement on Cancer Initiatives in Developing Countries
29/06/2006
Rapidly Increasing Incidence of Cancer in Developing Countries Demands Call to Action
Paris France (27th June 2006) - A supplement published today with the journal Annals of Oncology reveals the dramatic rise in the incidence of cancer in developing countries, and demands a call to action to address this critical issue. The supplement, entitled "Cancer Initiatives in Developing Countries", is based on the significant results of a pioneering satellite symposium organized by Axios at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO) in October, 2005. The supplement highlights not only the rapidly increasing problem of cancer in developing countries and possible solutions, but also emphasizes the need for a broad partnership of international organizations, governments, institutions and normative organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to effectively prevent, detect and treat cancers in the developing world. The symposium and the supplement were realized through a generous educational grant from Novartis.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for more deaths than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. More than half of the 10 million new cancer cases each year occur in developing countries, and this is projected to increase to 70% by 2020, due to inadequate prevention, detection and treatment programs. Furthermore, at least 75% of cancer patients diagnosed in developing countries have advanced stage or incurable cancers at the time they present to the health system for diagnosis.
"Cancer will become the largest healthcare problem in developing countries very soon," predicted Professor Hakan Mellstedt, President of the European Society for Medical Oncology, and Professor of Oncologic Biotherapy at the Karolinska Institute. "This problem needs a better understanding of intervention requirements in resource-constrained settings, and the implementation of effective programs in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care. An intensive global response must be set forth around common and comprehensive strategies for the future."
While the total cancer burden remains highest in affluent societies, less developed economies are closing the gap very quickly. As well as the accumulating risks associated with modernization and urbanization - diet, tobacco, alcohol, lack of exercise, industrial exposures, and aging populations - the developing world is already hampered by some cancers attributable to infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis B and liver cancer). These disparities in cancer risk, combined with poor access to prevention, treatment and cancer control, result in significantly poorer survival rates in developing countries.
"We now know that we can prevent one-third of new cancers and treat one-third detected at an early stage. It is time to translate knowledge into action," said Dr. Twalib Ngoma, Executive Director of the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. "Following a resolution at the World Health Assembly in May 2005 declaring cancer a priority for developing countries, the WHO has put forward widely-disseminated guidelines and recommendations. An increasing number of countries are formulating their cancer control programs based on these tools. The Tanzanian National Cancer Control Programme was adopted in 1997 and has established sustainable cancer services appropriate to the socioeconomic context of the problem in Tanzania, providing a model for partnerships that forge effective broad-based solutions."
There are other examples of successful cancer initiatives in developing countries with limited financial resources. Also using the WHO guidelines, Sudan has prioritized breast, cervical and oral cancers, and made prevention, early detection, improved treatment and palliative care for these cancers available. This includes innovative public awareness campaigns, education of medical professionals and screening programs. In Cambodia, the American organization Partners Telemedicine has provided telemedicine in remote rural areas, helping in the diagnosis of acute and chronic conditions such as cancer, and greatly improving the quality of care for patients. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry has contributed to finding innovative ways to increase access to cancer treatment in developing countries. Glivec is an oral therapy produced by Novartis for chronic myelogenous leukaemia and gastrointestinal tumours. Through a comprehensive care program that includes regular patient follow-up and support, Novartis makes Glivec available free of charge in 81 countries to patients who are not insured, not reimbursed, and cannot afford to pay. Since inception in 2001, more than 16,000 patients have benefited from Glivec through this access program.
"There was clear consensus among the large audience at the ESMO symposium that it is time to move to action today. Results from an interactive audience exercise conducted throughout the session allowed the participants to formulate and express their opinion on the topics presented. In particular, participants demonstrated almost total agreement that cancer prevention, early detection and treatment are the most essential interventions necessary at this stage," said Dr. Joseph Saba, CEO of Axios.
The challenges of cancer in developing countries are indeed great, however with increasing international and national attention, strategies and approaches will result in the gradual confrontation of this disproportionate epidemic. Key responses may also include education and training to foster better informed decision-making, together with enhanced cancer surveillance, detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Improved healthcare financing, international initiatives and public-private partnerships will also provide further impetus to target resources where needed urgently.
Media Contact
Lisa Menning, Communications and Advocacy Manager
Contact: lisa.menning@axiosint.com or +33 1 44 860 760 (Paris, France)