The Global Fight Against Cancer

Dr. Seffrin and leaders in the Americas show political commitment to change the history of women's cancer at UN

Each September in New York City, the world gathers at the United Nations Headquarters for a most unique global event. The UN General Assembly convenes 193 of the world’s leaders to deliberate important questions such as peace and security. This year, the American Cancer Society, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other regional partners from the Americas, took advantage of this gathering to highlight an important issue for all of humanity: women’s cancers. We did so by inviting first ladies and other prominent global health leaders to the UN Headquarters to speak on this issue. Against the backdrop of the East River, the first ladies of Belize Honduras, gave impassioned personal testimony on the issue, along with a call to action.

For several years now, the Society has been engaged in a regional partnership with a multi-sector coalition of government agencies, corporations, and other nongovernment organizations to raise awareness of women’s cancers in Latin America and the Caribbean. Women´s cancers have a devastating personal, social, and economic impact on families and societies in our hemisphere. Breast and cervical cancers are the most common among women, with every year bringing 490,000 new cases and 128,000 deaths in the Americas.

Too often, women receive these diagnoses in the prime of their lives, while caring for their families and participating in the labor force. Many of these cancers, especially cervical cancer, can be prevented, or more successfully treated, if detected early.

In addition, social determinants such as poverty, low education, or ethnicity make some populations more vulnerable and lead to a disproportionate burden of cancer on women. Because of inequality of access to health services, this is true even in countries with high incomes.

However, positive news is stemming from our regional partnership. Some remarkable examples in the Americas demonstrate how to improve the prevention and control of cancer. Currently, more than 80% of adolescents in the Americas have free access to the HPV vaccine. This is because 20 countries include the HPV vaccine as part of immunization plans to protect girls from developing cervical cancer in the future. All countries have screening services for this type of cancer, and five  of them have started using HPV testing as a more effective method.

Civil society engagement and governmental cooperation serve to improve the prevention and control of women’s cancers and the elimination of inequities regarding access to health services. Continued improvement requires a major commitment to strengthening health policies, financing comprehensive plans and programs that prevent cancer, and the support of society to further empower women. This was the message at the event by Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society, and Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization.

 Among the highlights of the event:

• The first ladies of Belize and Honduras called for mobilizing all of society in the fight against women’s cancer. It’s not just a women’s issue.
• The authorities of Brazil, Jamaica, and Peru presented their advances in designing and implementing policies for comprehensive care of women’s cancers in their respective countries.
• PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne stated that universal health coverage can provide the necessary conditions to improve cancer prevention and control, and give people equal access to comprehensive and quality services throughout their life course without financial hardship. "No woman should become impoverished as a result of a cancer diagnosis," she said.

Dr. Seffrin closed with this: “The ultimate conquest of cancer is as much a public policy issue as it is a scientific and medical challenge, and civil society must be at the decision-making table to ensure that community needs and patient voices are appropriately represented. We know how to save more lives – right now. We simply have to come together to implement proven strategies and find new ways to break down barriers that hinder our progress.” 

Carolina Herrera Puts On a Pink Smile for Breast Cancer Awareness

 

The Global Health department of the American Cancer Society and Antonio Puig, SA (the parent company of the Carolina Herrera brand) have collaborated since 2008 to provide breast cancer support activities in various countries in Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Nicaragua).  These funds have been used to support broad capacity building activities of civil society cancer organizations as well as to provide small grants to organizations to implement programs focused on patient navigation, breast cancer education, and breast cancer screening promotion.  In addition, Mrs. Herrera was honored by the American Cancer Society as their 2006 Mother of the Year for her continued efforts and commitment to the fight against cancer.

In 2014, the Society and the Carolina Herrera brand together made a commitment to expand their patient support endeavors in the coming years across Latin America by developing and promoting programs that will provide emotional support, promote positivity, involve the family, and increase humanity around the breast cancer experience. And ideally their work will eventually touch other countries worldwide.

“Though the cultural and environmental context in which women across Latin America are facing breast cancer may be different from women in the US, the need for targeted emotional support is not,” said Kristie McComb, Global Capacity Development Director for ACS.  “Sadly, women across Latin America face ever greater barriers to care and well-being due to societal stigma around cancer. Cancer is often perceived as a death sentence and as such, a culture of silence prevents patients from receiving the support they need.”

The Society, which has more than 45 years of experience providing emotional support for women facing breast cancer, is able to provide supervision and expertise to organizations helping women throughout Latin America.

This year, under the slogan “Support with a Smile”, the Carolina Herrera brand has created the Pink Smile icon, a symbol of emotional support for women with breast cancer. CHPink is Carolina Herrera’s official campaign to fight against breast cancer. Carolina Herrera de Baez, the Creative Director of Fragrances and the driving force behind this project, has been giving emotional support to breast cancer patients with the Support with a Smile campaign and fundraising activities for more than 5 years.

The aim of the 2014 campaign is to highlight the importance of a smile, an alternative way of facing the disease, to offer the strength and emotional support that patients and their families really need. By downloading the CHPink Smile app free of charge, people will be able to share their Pink Smile with all their circles of contacts on social networks, getting the message to as many people as possible. Once they have downloaded the app, users can take a selfie, either on their own or in company, add a Pink Smile and share their photo on social networks with the hashtag #chpinksmile. Moreover, they can also use the app to make a donation to help associations working with the American Cancer Society to support women fighting breast cancer in Latin America.  The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and is the main tool to be used in raising funds for the cause. The idea is to share this collective smile via as many downloads as possible, in order to show breast cancer patients that there are a great many people worldwide that support them and stand with them in their fight.

Brazilian cancer advocates take fight to lawmakers on country’s first-ever “Lobby Day”

By Patty Avery, Indiana's first State Lead Ambassador from 2007-2010 for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). She currently serves as a member of the National Ambassador Team for ACS CAN.

Dozens of volunteers lined up for registration, trading stories of their trip to the nation’s capital and hugs for friends from around the country. Suitcases packed into a corner. A session that brought everyone up to date on the progress of a new law to increase funding that will help fight cancer. Time to practice the legislative ask. Small groups in matching shirts huddling in the hallway before their next legislative visit. And stories of positive conversations with staff and legislators.

Sounds like a Lobby Day in the United States, right?

Absolutamente right – Brazil’s first-ever national "Lobby Day" for a patient advocacy group.

For the last three years, the American Cancer Society’s Global Health team, in collaboration with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), has worked to build relationships with organizations that are working to fight cancer in Brazil and around the world. It was time to advance the fight through advocacy. FEMAMA, a coalition of 53 breast cancer organizations that serve one million women and their families, accepted the challenge of planning and carrying out a Brazilian Lobby Day and succeeded in equipping more than 120 survivors, volunteers, and organizational staff to take their message to their nation’s 502 federal representatives and senators in Brasilia, the nation’s capital.


FEMAMA cancer advocates gathered in Brasilia, with a banner calling on the government to increase funding to expand access to health care.


The Society’s Global Health staff, in collaboration with ACS CAN staff, worked with the FEMAMA team for more than a year to create the event. I was privileged to join them and the FEMAMA team on their training day and participate in some of their Lobby Day activities in Brasilia.

I’d lived in Brazil for more than eight years in the 1990s, but hadn’t been back to my adopted country for nearly a decade. As my flight broke through the clouds, I saw the red soil and deep green countryside that were once so familiar to me – and hoped my rusty Portuguese would be enough to help me serve and encourage the FEMAMA team and Lobby Day ambassadors.

I shouldn’t have worried. The instant I saw the matching Lobby Day shirts, the folders full of information on their ask and the planned activities, and overheard the excited conversations in the registration line, I knew I was going to be part of an event that any ACS CAN ambassador would recognize.

And like our ACS CAN volunteers, the women who made their way to Brasilia have been touched in some way by cancer. They work every day to prevent breast cancer and ensure that women have access to screening and treatment – and FEMAMA brought them together to take the fight to their elected officials.

Lobby Day kicked off under increasingly cloudy skies with an event on their equivalent of our National Mall in front of the Brazilian Congress. Volunteers shared their stories with the radio, TV, and print reporters who gathered, and just ahead of the rain, the group made its way to the congressional offices.

During the rest of that morning and early afternoon, the group divided into small teams and succeeded in visiting most of the representatives’ and senators’ offices. They met with staff, explaining their ask for dedicated funds in the federal budget to expand access to health care for the nation’s 200 million citizens. As they did, they told their stories of survivorship and caregiving, demonstrating the importance of these life-saving resources.

FEMAMA cancer advocates meeting with staff at a lawmaker's office.

The afternoon finished with a presentation hosted by a representative who left a career in nursing to run for office. She spoke of the progress Brazil has made in advancing cancer awareness, screening, and treatment. Throughout the meeting, nearly half a dozen representatives and senators came by to address the gathered volunteers.

The Lobby Day participants beamed as their legislators thanked them for inviting them to the event and shared their commitment to fighting cancer.

We finished the day with a celebration dinner and by asking the group to share their experiences at Brazil’s Capitol. I will never forget the words of one participant:

“I learned today that voting is just a small part of my responsibility as a citizen. I learned the importance of coming where our representatives are and taking the fight against cancer to them…”

And whether it’s in Washington, DC, a state capital, or in Brasilia, isn’t that what Lobby Day is all about? 

As a volunteer representing ACS CAN ambassadors, I’d shared in my talk that I will soon have a Brazilian grandson – and that I had joined their fight because I don’t want him to ever hear the words, “You have cancer" in any language.

As Lobby Day Brasiliero ended, I reflected on the passion, dedication, and sheer determination I’d seen in FEMAMA, its partners, and volunteers. I knew that I’d bring back with me a renewed passion for advocacy and a new hope that the amazing women I met will create a future with less cancer and more birthdays for Brazil – and for my grandchildren who will live there.

(More photos of the event can be found at:  http://www.femama.org.br/novo/fotos-detalhe.php?menu=fot&id=65)

 

ACS Collaborates with Partners in Northeast Brazil During "Pink October"

English synopsis of Portuguese Blog that follows:

ACS NGO collaborators in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, in Northeastern Brazil organized an unprecedented mobilization for breast cancer advocacy as part of the local Pink October Movement.  The organizations leading these initiatives are Associação Rosa Viva, Associação dos Amigos do Crio (Assocrio), Grupo Amar, and Toque de Vida, which are memebers of the Brazilian Breast Cancer Coalition and ACS project grantees.   These NGOs collaborated with the Instituto do Câncer do Ceará (ICC), the Fortaleza Municipal Health Council, and the Fundação Maria Carvalho Santos (Teresina, Piauí) to organize a series of breast cancer awareness and advocacy initiatives including Public hearings with political representatives, public lectures, the lighting of local monuments pink, and a breast cancer awareness walk.  On October 29 th  advocates also organized awareness and screening activities targeting underserved fishing communities in the nearby municipality of Mucuripe.  This initiative included a boat   race using Jangadas—traditional fishing sailboats—adorned with pink sails, lectures about breast cancer early detection, and opportunities for mammographic screening and follow up care.

A Fortaleza do Outubro Rosa

Cristina Câmara Consultora em Advocacy da American Cancer Society (ACS) no Brasil

Fortaleza, Brasil —  *Os Bonecos Gigantes originalmente estão presentes na tradição do Carnaval pernambucano, mas já foram incorporados a atividades de rua por diferentes movimentos sociais, especialmente no Nordeste do Brasil.  

Os Bonecos trazem um apelo cultural familiar à população e facilitam a transmissão de informações educativas de forma bem humorada. “Sr.SUS” e “Dona Saúde” são os nomes dos Bonecos presentes na Caminhada do Outubro Rosa, em Fortaleza, normalmente utilizados nas intervenções sociais junto às comunidades.No último mês de outubro tive a oportunidade de acompanhar o final dos trabalhos organizados por várias entidades que atuam com câncer de mama em Fortaleza, capital do Ceará, região Nordeste do Brasil. Entre elas, quatro associações que têm sido um exemplo nas relações de parceria construídas, inclusive, entre elas próprias. Associação Rosa Viva, Associação dos Amigos do Crio (Assocrio), Grupo Amar e Toque de Vida vêm trabalhando de forma articulada no Ceará e estão iniciando um projeto com apoio financeiro da ACS – “Vitoriosas em Ação” –, no escopo do investimento realizado para fortalecer a Federação Brasileira de Instituições Filantrópicas de Apoio à Saúde da Mama (Femama).  A iluminação de monumentos e as fotos de mulheres de camisetas rosa nos jornais, já são identificadas pela população brasileira. O que ainda se conhece pouco é a preparação prévia e a extensão do trabalho e das articulações realizadas para que se chegue aos acontecimentos que se tornam notícias.A programação do Movimento Outubro Rosa – nome atribuído pela coalizão de instituições cearenses – foi bastante ampla e variada, perpassando eventos praticamente diários durante todo o mês de outubro. Desde 2009, o Movimento Outubro Rosa é organizado pelas quatro associações mencionadas acima e, no ano de 2011, contou ainda com a participação do Instituto do Câncer do Ceará (ICC).A Programação Oficial foi pré-lançada no mês de setembro, tendo ao menos nove instituições de saúde como públicos-alvo, desde o Conselho Municipal de Saúde de Fortaleza até os serviços de oncologia, públicos e privados, com o objetivo de envolver públicos e instituições relevantes no enfrentamento da situação do câncer de mama em Fortaleza, e por extensão no estado do Ceará. Também foram realizadas audiências públicas na Câmara de Vereadores de Fortaleza e na Assembleia Legislativa do Ceará, que possibilitaram a participação de uma das organizadoras do Movimento Outubro Rosa como expositora, apresentando a situação do câncer de mama, além de ressaltar a importância desse Movimento.  Entretanto, a vasta programação oficial não foi suficiente. As organizações realizadoras elaboraram uma Programação Paralela direcionada a intervenções corpo-a-corpo, ou seja: palestras, panfletagens, blitz educativa e atrações artísticas e culturais para sensibilizar a população e poder veicular sua mensagem, de forma mais direta, sobre a necessidade da detecção precoce do câncer de mama. Grande parte dessa agenda paralela está em sintonia com as atividades do projeto “Vitoriosas em Ação”. Além disso, foi realizada uma caravana para municípios do interior do estado – ‘Rota Kombi Rosa’, além de atividades voltadas à comunidade de pescadores, que por si só mereceria um relato específico. *A Caminhada do Outubro Rosa 2011, realizada em 30 de outubro, contou com o apoio do Instituto Avon. Reuniu em torno de cinco mil pessoas, majoritariamente mulheres – várias com câncer de mama – sob uma temperatura de 32º graus. Além da presença de diversos municípios do interior, também é importante destacar a Fundação Maria Carvalho Santos, de Teresina, Piauí, demonstrando solidariedade e sintonia no trabalho desenvolvido no Nordeste.   

A população de 8.448.055 habitantes corresponde a 15,91% da população nordestina e 4,43% da população brasileira.

A concentração populacional está na capital, Fortaleza, que agrega 28,97% da população do estado.

De acordo com o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, 19% da população cearense é analfabeta.

Um desafio à criatividade nas ações educativas, especialmente quando dirigidas à população de baixa renda e aos municípios do interior do estado.  

No que se refere à situação do câncer de mama, a partir das instituições conveniadas com o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), os dados da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Fortaleza registram a realização de 41.640 exames de mamografia, em 2010, e 37.007, entre janeiro e outubro de 2011 (3.304 a mais do que a quantidade no mesmo período de 2010).

Esse aumento provavelmente reflete, por um lado, a melhoria na qualidade do registro de dados, por outro, a maior demanda por parte das mulheres, em decorrência de intervenções e atividades informativas e educativas desenvolvidas pelas organizações da sociedade civil. 

Quantidade de mamografias realizadas em Fortaleza Ano Quantidade 2010 2011 (jan.-out.) TotalNúmero de mamografias realizadas 41.640 37.007 78.647

Número de mamografias de seguimento 12.479 10.700 23.179  

*A jangada é o símbolo cearense por excelência. Cantadas em verso e prosa, as jangadas possibilitam a atividade da pesca e, mais recentemente, até passeios turísticos. Estive presente somente nos dois penúltimos dias das programações do Movimento Outubro Rosa – Fortaleza, mas foi possível observar a dinâmica, o envolvimento e a recepção da população. No dia 29 de outubro, foi organizada uma atividade na comunidade de pescadores do Mucuripe, local conhecido pelo mercado de peixes e ancoradouro das jangadas que chegam trazendo a pesca diária de peixes e frutos do mar. A atividade foi realizada em uma pequena igreja – Igreja de São Pedro dos Pescadores, no Mucuripe. Note-se que na programação paralela do Movimento Outubro Rosa estava inserida a iluminação e a panfletagem em igrejas, nos dias dos santos padroeiros comemorados em outubro. Uma atenção importante do Movimento à cultura local e a espaços que aglomeram pessoas, especialmente mulheres.Na Igreja de São Pedro dos Pescadores, a ação foi dirigida, inclusive porque paralelamente estava-se dialogando com os pescadores que aceitaram navegar em suas jangadas, acompanhando a Caminhada do Outubro Rosa no dia seguinte. As atividades incluíram palestras de duas mastologistas, com informações precisas e veiculadas de forma extremamente simples para as ouvintes, muitas delas mulheres de pescadores e/ou católicas praticantes na referida igreja. Também foram feitas outras apresentações, contando com a presença dos Bonecos Gigantes e uma confraternização ao final. Após as palestras, as mulheres que atendiam aos pré-requisitos estabelecidos, receberam vales-mamografia que lhes dava o direito de realizar a mamografia gratuitamente, no período de um mês, em dois locais de referência em Fortaleza: o Centro Integrado de Oncologia (Crio) e o Instituto do Câncer do Ceará (ICC), que assumiram o compromisso não só de realizar os exames, mas de acompanhar as mulheres, de acordo com os resultados dos mesmos. A mesma dinâmica foi repetida no dia seguinte, após a Caminhada do Outubro Rosa. No geral, foram distribuídos em torno de 200 vales-mamografia. Na comunidade de pescadores, um aprendizado. Sabedoria. Palavra às vezes esquecida ou associada ao saber letrado, instruído. Ledo engano. A sabedoria é a capacidade de discernir, compreender e passar adiante seu conhecimento; característica de um líder nato. Foi o que presenciei no diálogo entre Raimundo e Valéria, cada um no seu espaço, mas ambos, líderes natos. Ele organizou os 28 pescadores que vestiram as camisetas rosa e estiveram presentes nas sete jangadas, acompanhando a Caminhada do Outubro Rosa pelo mar. Ela, uma liderança do Movimento Outubro Rosa, que acertou todos os detalhes referentes às pinturas das velas das jangadas, ajuda de custo para os pescadores, horários, pontos de saída, fotos, etc. etc., mas principalmente, através de Raimundo, conseguiu sensibilizar os pescadores para o sentido do evento. Ao final da Caminhada era nítida a sensação de terem feito parte da mobilização do Outubro Rosa, especialmente com a importante incumbência de apresentarem o símbolo cearense: a jangada. E, claro, também foi negociado um trabalho posterior direcionado aos homens, informando sobre o câncer de próstata, ainda alvo de preconceito por vários deles.Por fim, além do envolvimento profissional, do aprendizado constante com as mulheres que estão vivendo com câncer de mama – muitas vezes em situações-limite, mas sem perder a garra – e com diferentes grupos e regiões brasileiras, é sempre bom estar em Fortaleza. Uma das capitais turísticas mais procuradas no Nordeste, que resiste na preservação de sua natureza, com belas praias, excelente pesca, culinária e frutas tipicamente brasileiras como o caju. Muita saúde a todas as cearenses para que possam desfrutar bem dos prazeres da vida cotidiana! *Jangadas rosas ao mar seguiram a Caminhada do Outubro Rosa 2011, em Fortaleza

Referências

• CEARÁ EM MAPAS 2010. Secretaria de Planejamento e Gestão do Governo do Estado do Cearáhttp://www2.ipece.ce.gov.br/atlas/
• IBGE - Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatísticawww.ibge.gov.br 
• Movimento Outubro Rosa 2011 – Programação Oficialhttp://assocrio.org.br/noticias105-movimento-outubro-rosa-2011
• Outubro Rosa – Fortaleza, 2011http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFcWXZgVyx8&feature=colike
• SMS – Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Fortaleza [Saúde da Mulher]www.sms.fortaleza.ce.gov.br 

*Fotos de Juliano Moura

The American Cancer Society Collaborates with Key U.N. Agencies and Global Health Leaders to Advance Women's Health Worldwide

New York City — The American Cancer Society Global Health Programs led the first-ever side event at the United Nations (U.N.) on April 13 to address women’s cancers and NCDs (non-communicable diseases). Participants encouraged U.N. policy makers to prioritize women's cancers at the High-level U.N. Meeting on NCDs in September 2011. NCDs – cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease - represent a global health, economic, and development issue. Their impact on women deepens health and gender inequities between and within countries and have a profound effect on individuals, households, and communities. Women worldwide are affected by, and at risk for, mortality from cancers that are largely preventable and treatable, including cervical and breast cancer.

 Madam Callista Mutharika, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, Incoming Vice Chairperson, Forum of African First Ladies against Breast and Cervical Cancer 

 Dr. Karen Sealey, PAHO/WHO Special Advisor served as moderator. (center)

 Ms. Clover Allen Wilson, Breast Cancer Survivor received a standing ovation.

More than 200 people attended, including civil society, healthcare professionals, academics and representatives from more than 30 U.N. Missions. 

The meeting marked the release of "Progress in Cervical Cancer Prevention: The CCA Report Card. Cervical Cancer Action." This new report by Cervical Cancer Action, assesses global readiness to fight cervical cancer using new approaches and new technologies, especially in regions where the disease is a common killer. It underscores the urgent need for the global community to prioritize cervical cancer prevention and control on global health and development agendas.

The American Cancer Society collaborated with the Permanent Mission of the Member States of the Caribbean Community, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malawi, the U.N. Population Fund, PATH and the African Forum of First Ladies against Breast and Cervical Cancer.

###

CERVICAL CANCER: GLOBAL FACTS TO FILE

• Cervical cancer is central to the emerging cancer pandemic in low- and middle-income countries. 

• The number of lives lost to this preventable disease is a global failure of the largest scale given all we know about preventing, detecting, and treating cervical cancer. 

• Cervical cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, and the leading cause of cancer death in Africa and Southeast Asia in 2008. That year, cervical cancer caused an estimated 275,100 deaths.

• Ninety percent of these deaths occurred in developing parts of the world, where access to screening and treatment are often non-existent and adolescent girls are not receiving vaccination for the human papilloma virus (HPV), the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. 

• The HPV vaccine can prevent up to 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and cost-effective procedures are available to detect and treat cervical pre-cancer.

To redress the rise in cervical cancer, the Society has spearheaded programs in India, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The ACS aims to promote public awareness about cervical cancer, educate health professionals, and improve access to screening. Throughout the year, the Society collaborates with PATH and the Cervical Cancer Action Coalition with a shared goal of preventing cancer globally.

BREAST CANCER: GLOBAL FACTS TO FILE

• Breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer death for women worldwide in 2008. That year, 458,400 breast cancer deaths were recorded despite the disease being largely treatable through early detection. 

• There were an estimated 1.4 million new breast cancer cases in 2008. 

• Breast cancer mortality over the past 25 years has decreased in some North American and European countries due to early detection through mammography and improved treatment; in contrast, mortality rates are climbing in many developing countries given a lack of access to affordable treatment and early detection. Source: Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 2nd edition

One of the ways the American Cancer Society supports women is by developing advocacy and capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries. Latin America is a case in point. Across the region, the Society has partnered with 70 organizations working in breast cancer control. Additionally, the Society launched a Pan-American cancer network and co- founded a regional breast cancer advocacy coalition. In Brazil and Mexico, ACS pioneered a patient navigator program offering valuable information about breast care and treatment.

 

The American Cancer Society Supports Women's Health Worldwide

New York City —  The American Cancer Society invites you to support women’s health and learn about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during an event today at the United Nations (UN).  No woman left behind in the fight against NCDs: Towards health services that address breast and cervical cancer encourages UN policy makers to prioritize women's cancers at a HIgh-level UN Meeting on NCDs in September.   

OBJECTIVES

• Launch the Cervical Cancer Action Report on Progress in Cervical Cancer Prevention

• Review the burden of these diseases in Africa and present the initiative of the First Ladies Forum

• Highlight available cost-effective interventions and demonstrate the feasibility of strengthened health systems

• Highlight the impact on individuals and households

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease - represent a global health, economic, and development issue. Their impact on women deepens health and gender inequities between and within countries, and has a profound effect on individuals, households, and communities. Women worldwide are affected by, and at risk for, mortality from cancers that are largely preventable and treatable, including cervical and breast cancer. Cervical cancer is central to the emerging cancer pandemic in low and middle income countries. The number of lives lost to this preventable disease is a global failure of the largest scale given all we know about preventing, detecting, and treating cervical cancer. At the same time, the evidence for preventing breast cancer mortality makes this a similar avoidable catastrophe, and innovative approaches exist for screening and treatment in low-resource settings. Prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care can be integrated into existing health services to relieve the strain in lower- and middle-income countries and to make sure that all women and girls have a fair chance at full and healthy lives.

Addressing women’s cancers is relevant to the Commission on Population and Development’s 44th Session, focused on “Fertility, reproductive health and development.” This side event will shine a light on global best practices in breast and cervical cancer control and help build momentum for the September 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on Non-communicable diseases.

• Moderator: Dr Karen Sealey, PAHO/WHO Special Advisor

• Opening remarks H.E. Ms Paulette Bethel, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations, Chair of CARICOM

• Global situation of women's cancers: Challenges of prevention and control

*     Ms Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA

• Forum of African First Ladies against Breast and Cervical Cancer

*      Madam Callista Mutharika, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, Incoming Vice Chairperson, Forum of African First Ladies against Breast and Cervical Cancer

• The importance of the cancer survivor Ms Clover Allen Wilson, Breast Cancer Survivor

• Launch of the Cervical Cancer Action report card Mr. Scott Wittet, PATH

• Q&A interactive discussion

*       Closure H.E. Mr. Brian Bowler, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations

Co-Sponsored by: Permanent Mission of the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malawi, PAHO and UNFPA

In collaboration with: American Cancer Society, PATH, Forum of African First Ladies  

 

Brazil Launches National Plan to Control Cervical and Breast Cancer

Manaus, Brazil  — Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced this week the launch of a nationwide program for breast and cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.  

"I know from experience that cancer is curable when it is treated early," the president said. “I had cancer, it was detected early, and was cured.  I want women to have access to the same things I did.”

In 2009, while working as chief of staff for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Rousseff was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The early detection of the cancer during a routine mammogram was key to her rapid recovery. Rousseff remained in her position while she underwent a four-month course of chemotherapy.

The government will invest 2.8 billion U.S. dollars (4.5 billion reais) for the new prevention and treatment program, designed to span a four-year period. Resources will strengthen primary care as well as the outpatient and hospital network of the Brazilian Public Health System. According to President Rousseff, the federal government will provide free mammograms in public hospitals as well as free cervical smear exams for all women aged 25 to 59.  

Brazil has some 4,000 mammography facilities, with half located in public hospitals. Under the new program, 20 new centers specializing in breast and cervical cancer will open in Brazil's northern and northeastern regions, which are the country's poorest. In addition, all public hospitals will increase investment in cancer treatments. These plans support the Oncology Care National Policy created in 2005 and aim to promote information and awareness while improving the accessibility and quality of breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) aim to monitor mammography quality and efficiency using a special task force comprised of INCA, the Brazilian College of Radiology, and federal, state, and municipal health surveillance agencies.  

The national program sets out to:

• Roll out 50 specialized centers in underserved areas of Brazil, which will ensure timely treatment following presentation
• Create 32 new specialized treatment centers in hospitals 
• Improve treatment infrastructure in 48 hospitals 

Technical support, resources, and the development of specialized training centers for health professionals will all aid in the control of cervical cancer. Additionally, the new national program will promote cervical cancer screening practices, ensure the quality of examinations, and guarantee timely treatment under guidelines and recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). 

INCA has been a key collaborator of the American Cancer Society (ACS), and ACS has worked closely with INCA to encourage improvement in access to and quality of cancer care in Brazil, with a special emphasis on women’s cancers. ACS commends President Dilma Rousseff and the Ministry of Health for their commitment to breast and cervical cancer control. 

For more information, click on the link bellow (in Portuguese):   http://tinyurl.com/435cfm5

American Cancer Society Supports COMESAMA, the Mexican Coalition for Breast Health

 
Participants in the launch of COMESAMA

 

COMESAMA, a Mexican coalition for breast health, was launched by 15 Mexican nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on September 30 in Mexico City. The American Cancer Society is a member of the coalition and an active supporter of the advocacy efforts of founding NGO Fundación CIM*AB. Maria Elena Maza, regional consultant of the American Cancer Society in Mexico and a provider of technical assistance to Fundación CIM*AB, spoke at the event about the importance of patient-led advocacy efforts. Dr Alejandro Mohar, director of the Mexican National Cancer Institute, was also present at the COMESAMA launch. Approximately 20 media representatives were present, including TV, print, and online. COMESAMA is an advocacy coalition aimed at decreasing breast cancer mortality in Mexico. The organization aims to dialogue with decision makers; bring awareness to people affected by breast cancer; generate proposals to improve breast cancer control; raise the public profile of breast cancer issues; and increase access to early detection services. The advocacy areas of action for COMESAMA are: increase access to quality treatment and screening; increase service coverage and free breast health care; increase human and material resources; and earmark funds for breast cancer, guideline revision, and certification of radiology services. COMESAMA is also part of the Latin American breast cancer advocacy coalition, LATINAMAMA, which is a regional initiative led by the American Cancer Society.         

 

Society Joins Brazil NGO and Carolina Herrera for Breast Cancer Awareness

From left to right: Andrea Natal, a breast cancer survivor; Carolina Herrera, fashion designer; Dr. Maria Caleffi, FEMAMA; and Alessandra Durstine, vice president of regional programs at the American Cancer Society, at the launch of the "Pink October" event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On Tuesday, October 5, the American Cancer Society joined our collaborating partners, the Brazilian breast cancer coalition (FEMAMA), to launch their "Pink October" event to raise breast cancer awareness in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The theme of the event was "without investment, breast cancer has no cure." To celebrate the launch, fashion designer Carolina Herrera dedicated profits from her perfume 212 for breast cancer programs in Brazil. Alessandra Durstine, vice president of regional programs for the Society’s global health department, joined Herrera and Dr. Maria Caleffi of FEMAMA to speak at the event, which attracted more than 50 journalists. Following the launch, survivors from Brazil participated in a parade outside of Renner department store in Rio de Janeiro. During the evening, the Society joined FEMAMA and Brazil's minister of health to light Brazil’s famous Cristo Redentor statue in pink.

American Cancer Society Organizes Second Forum in Brazil to Address Breast Cancer Control

Speakers at the breast cancer control forum in Brazil

In collaboration with the Brazilian breast cancer coalition (FEMAMA in Portuguese), the American Cancer Society organized and hosted the Rio Grande do Sul State Intersectorial Breast Cancer Control Forum (I Fórum Intersetorial de Controle de Câncer de Mama do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul) from May 19-20 in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. This forum was the second of a series of American Cancer Society breast cancer forums that will be held in Brazil, aimed at improving breast cancer control and promoting the participation of civil society in cancer planning. Rio Grande do Sul State was chosen as a priority location because of its high incidence rates relative to other states in Brazil as well as the leadership roles of government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in addressing the growing breast cancer burden. During the forum, breast cancer experts and key stakeholders discussed recent advances in heath policies and practices, identified persistent barriers to care, and developed recommendations to improve access to and quality of early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. The forum convened more than 50 participants, including representatives of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA in Portuguese), state and municipal secretaries of health, leading public hospitals, philanthropic hospitals, research universities, and NGOs. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Director of Screening for ACS, was the keynote speaker at the event. Other speakers included Dra. Maira Caleffi (FEMAMA), Nair Ferreira (Instituto da Mama do RS, IMAMA), Dr. José Luiz Telles (Ministry of Health), Dr. Ana Ramalho (INCA), Dr. Sandra Coccaro de Souza (State Secretary of Health), Dr. Luciane Rampanelli Franco (Municipal Secretary of Health, Porto Alegre), Dr. Airton Stein (Grupo Hospitalar Conceição), Rosa Rutta (Instituto da Mama do RS, IMAMA), Dr. José Luiz Pedrini (Brazilian Mastology Society), Dr. Marcus Vinicius Bortolotto (IPUC), Dr. Felipe Zerwes (Brazilian Mastology Society), Dr. Stephen Stefani (UNIMED), and Dr. João Marcos Rizzo (Hospital Moinhos de Vento). The event was spotlighted in leading regional newspapers.