Mapping global cancer research and control in areas of low and middle income: The need for shared data on a single, interactive platform.

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e18048 Background: In response to the growing global burden of cancer, Global Oncology, Inc., and NCI’s Center for Global Health propose a call to action to populate work in low- and middle-income areas onto an online platform to catalyze collaboration in cancer research and clinical care, while also informing research and care gaps. The platform, the Global Cancer Project Map (GCPM) [http://gcpm.globalonc.org], launched as a free, interactive map to fill this void. Methods: Currently, the GCPM displays projects with international collaborators collated from the NCI, NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, UICC and ASCO. In addition to search options by project attributes, the GCPM provides overlays of epidemiological measures using cancer-specific estimates of incidence, prevalence, and mortality, as well as disability-adjusted life-years, and Human Development Index country values. An online submission form is available for individuals and organizations working in this field to contribute, index their work, and build partnerships. Results: Of the 1479 currently-mapped projects, 44.8% have investigators or collaborators in less-developed countries (LDCs) (as defined by the UN by low gross national income, human asset index, and economic vulnerability index). Of the 1218 with a project type classification, 104 relate to capacity building and/or training, with 69 of these projects (66.3%) occurring in LDCs. Utilizing the cancer type search options, the GCPM currently displays 54 cervical cancer projects with LDC collaborators, where the cervical cancer mortality age-standardized risk is more than 2.5 times higher for LDCs than more-developed countries. Conclusions: The GCPM visualizes international efforts in cancer control and links need to action. To better address the growing burden of cancer, the partnership is actively seeking additional project submissions. Utilized with cancer statistic overlays, the GCPM can help develop regional priorities in cancer research and control.