Cross-Border Collaboration in Oncology: A Model for United States–Mexico Border Health

Abstract

With the increasing burden of cancer in both developed and developing countries, much attention has recently been paid to global outreach and collaboration in oncology ( 1 Coleman C.N. many othersBringing cancer care to the underserved globally: A challenging problem for which radiation oncology can pioneer novel solutions. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014; 89: 443-445 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar , 2 Zietman A. Bringing radiation therapy to underserved nations: An increasingly global responsibility in an ever-shrinking world. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014; 89: 440-442 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (21) Google Scholar , 3 Datta N.R. Samiei M. Bodis S. Radiation therapy infrastructure and human resources in low- and middle-income countries: Present status and projections for 2020. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014; 89: 448-457 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (136) Google Scholar ). This work has particularly focused on nations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and occasionally Latin America ( 4 Datta N.R. Samiei M. Bodis S. Radiotherapy infrastructure and human resources in Europe—present status and its implications for 2020. Eur J Cancer. 2014; 50: 2735-2743 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar , 5 Murthy N.S. Chaudhry K. Rath G.K. Burden of cancer and projections for 2016, Indian scenario: Gaps in the availability of radiotherapy treatment facilities. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2008; 9: 671-677 PubMed Google Scholar , 6 Abdel-Wahab M. Bourque J.M. Pynda Y. et al. Status of radiotherapy resources in Africa: An International Atomic Energy Agency analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2013; 14: e168-e175 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (194) Google Scholar , 7 Curado M.P. de Souza D.L. Cancer burden in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ann Glob Health. 2014; 80: 370-377 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (53) Google Scholar , 8 Lee A.W. Sze H. Lam K.O. et al. A tale of two cities in China: Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014; 89: 704-708 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar ). Surprisingly little attention, however, has been focused on our neighbor to the South, Mexico. Much like other sectors, health care services and patients quite frequently cross the US–Mexico border, particularly in relation to oncologic care, impacting cancer care on both sides of the region. The Cervix Cancer Research Network: A Global Outreach Effort on Behalf of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroupInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, PhysicsVol. 92Issue 3PreviewCervix cancer is a worldwide scourge. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, with a rate of 728 deaths per day. A total of 87% of cervix cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with 18-fold variations in mortality rates (1). Even in high-income nations, there has been little improvement in survival rates (2). The last major improvement in survival of cervix cancer was published 15 years ago with the superiority of cisplatin-based chemoradiation therapy to radiation therapy alone (3, 4). Full-Text PDF Erratum to: Jabbari S, Fitzmaurice T, Munoz F, et al. Cross-Border Collaboration in Oncology: A Model for United States—Mexico Border Health. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015;92:509-511.International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, PhysicsVol. 93Issue 2PreviewIn the article referenced above, the affiliation for authors Fatima Munoz, MD, MPH, and Connie Lafuente, BA, should have appeared as follows: Full-Text PDF