Abstract 4454: Global health as the key to a new paradigm in cancer research

Abstract

Abstract Promoting perceptions of cancer as an integral part of the global health agenda will help to focus attention on the ever-present and growing threat of cancer, particularly in emerging economies, many of which are in Asia. It is imperative that a blueprint for the future direction for cancer research is founded in the global health context and aimed squarely at overcoming health disparities. As part of its ongoing initiatives the Asia Cancer Forum (ACF) implemented a questionnaire survey targeting cancer specialists, entitled “Survey on Inclusion of Cancer in the Global Health Agenda.” Following up on the survey results gathered at the AACR, the Asia Cancer Forum is committed to creating a common awareness among cancer researchers about the imperative of tackling cancer in the global health context. The outcomes of the UN Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in September 2011 should be harnessed to give further impetus to a future direction for cancer research. It is therefore essential for an academic basis to be laid out for global health that provides definitions and common language for stakeholders. The ACF is seeking to support the creation of an academic platform, or Global Collaborative Cancer Studies, as a means of further promoting the concept of global health in the cancer research community. Global health is founded on concepts of equality and human rights and universities are therefore ideally positioned to promote multi-disciplinary collaborations between science and the humanities. The knowledge created through collaborative studies could also be utilized to inform policymaking and identify new ways to tackle the existing challenges presented by increasing costs and aging populations in developed societies. Given cultural and historical differences the situation surrounding cancer varies significantly from country to country, with health disparities being particularly apparent in the Asian region. By linking universities in global collaborative efforts we can ensure a bottom-up approach to global health that brings together diverse communities. Given the downturn in the global economy we cannot expect that funding for programs to tackle NCDs will be forthcoming. It is therefore imperative to establish a network for assistance to developing countries that is based on our own experiences of overcoming challenges to create successful outcomes. A major challenge is to implement clinical trials in emerging economies, which will require the provision of technical assistance and stronger links between pharmaceutical companies and cancer researchers in emerging economies. The ACF is continuing its research activities on perceptions of cancer among the research community, seeking to build a global network that will overcome health disparities. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4454. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4454