The Global Fight Against Cancer

American Cancer Society Co-hosts Tokyo Meeting on New National Cancer Act of Japan

Participants in the Tokyo meeting

The American Cancer Society and Health Policy Institute, Japan, recently co-hosted a meeting in Tokyo of American Cancer Society University (ACSU) alumni, Japan Initiative for Cancer Patients (JIP) members, and patient representatives of prefecture cancer committees. Approximately 50 participants convened to discuss state-level obligations under the new National Cancer Act of Japan and opportunities for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other advocates to ensure the implementation of evidence-based patient support programs under the new legislation. Members of the Diet (Japan’s national legislature), policy advisers, and organization leaders presented case studies of state-level cancer planning processes and outcomes. Society partners were among those who shared best practices and action plans for future networking, prioritizing, and evaluation. Prefecture committee members gained a better understanding of their role in regional cancer planning, while ACSU alumni and JIP members learned more about their responsibility to support state committee representatives in their new positions. 

Latin American Cancer Policy Leaders Sign First-Ever “Declaration Against Cancer”

American Cancer Society President Elmer E. Huerta, MD, MPH (front row, fourth from left), with other meeting participants

In November 2007, the International Affairs Department held a historic meeting in collaboration with the Brazilian National Cancer Institute at the Second Congress on Cancer Control held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The two organizations convened senior cancer policy leaders from 10 Latin American countries to discuss the need to address the rapidly growing cancer burden in these nations. These national health care leaders committed to elevate cancer as both a national and a regional priority and signed a first-ever "Declaration Against Cancer" to dedicate resources to immediately address tobacco control and cervical cancer and to improve medical training and tumor bank coordination. On November 28, the Declaration was drafted and presented by Luis Antonio Santini, MD, Director General of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, with Alejandro Mohar, MD, DrPH, Director General of the Mexican National Cancer Institute, and Carlos Vincente Rada, MD, Director General of the Colombian National Cancer Institute. The Declaration marks the first time that Latin American cancer institutes have designated cancer as an urgent priority and agreed to commit technical and financial resources to fight this disease. Cancer incidence and deaths are rising at an alarming rate in these regions due to uncontrolled infectious disease, growing levels of tobacco use, rising obesity, little access to early detection programs, and outdated treatment guidelines. American Cancer Society President Elmer E. Huerta, MD, MPH, participated in the meeting, and the Society will provide a leadership role and technical assistance in this multinational effort.