The Global Fight Against Cancer

Media and NGOs Dialogue at American Cancer Society Workshops in Tanzania; ACS Chief Medical Officer Joins Key Global Health Leaders to Open AORTIC Conference

The American Cancer Society’s pre-conference workshops in Tanzania concluded earlier today with a lively discussion between African journalists and nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives on barriers to cancer coverage and potential solutions in Africa. In the course of the discussion, the 24 journalists and 34 NGO representatives identified particular cancer myths that contribute to the barriers in cancer awareness in Africa. They also proposed solutions to debunking these myths, including strengthening relationships between journalists and NGOs so that journalists have access to credible and accurate information, and humanizing stories on cancer and destigmatizing the disease by profiling survivors. The discussion was followed by a graduation lunch for all workshop participants, where they were joined by Jean-Baptiste Tapko, MD, the World Health Organization’s country representative for Tanzania. The pre-conference workshops have been generously supported by Oracle, the Canadian Cancer Society, and AORTIC.

Later in the day, American Cancer Society staff and volunteers joined with hundreds of cancer and tobacco control partners from around the world at the opening ceremony of AORTIC Conference 2009. The conference, which runs through November 14, will give participants the opportunity to share ideas and best practices on all aspects of cancer care and management in Africa, from prevention and diagnoses to treatment and palliation. American Cancer Society Chief Medical Officer Otis Brawley, MD, served on a panel during the ceremony with other distinguished guests, including David Mwakyusa, MD, minister for Health and Social Welfare of Tanzania. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Brawley was given a special gift in recognition of the American Cancer Society’s role as a key partner in cancer control in Africa. 

American Cancer Society Convenes 24 Journalists in Tanzania for Media Summit to Address Africa Cancer and Tobacco Burden

On the first full day of the American Cancer Society Media Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 24 journalists from eight African countries engaged in discussions with experts from the Society and other global cancer and tobacco control organizations on the emerging threats of cancer and tobacco use in Africa. The Media Summit is generously supported by Oracle and the Canadian Cancer Society. Two American Cancer Society staff, Thomas Glynn, PhD, director, Cancer Science and Trends and director, International Cancer Control; and Evan Blecher, economist, International Tobacco Control Research, joined other tobacco control experts in making presentations on tobacco use and control in Africa, including Tosin Orogun, programme manager, African Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI); Sverre Berg Lutnaes, senior advisor, International Affairs, Norwegian Cancer Society; and Lutgard Kagaruki, Tanzania Tobacco Control Forum. Cancer survivor Samantha Galliet, director, Campaigning for Cancer based in South Africa, and Haskell Ward, a representative of SEACOMM and an advisor to the Society, talked about the importance of survivor stories and advocacy in raising awareness about cancer. In group exercises, the journalists discussed with cancer and tobacco control experts the impact of various cancer and tobacco myths commonly heard on the continent and shared information that could be used to debunk these myths through media stories. In the evening, a panel of cancer control experts spoke with journalists about the challenges and opportunities involved with Africa’s growing cancer burden. The panel discussion was moderated by Otis Brawley, MD, chief medical officer, American Cancer Society, and included these other cancer control experts: Twalib Ngoma, MD, president of AORTIC and executive director, Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Tanzania; Lynette Denny, secretary treasurer of AORTIC and professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Olufunmilayo Olopade, MD, FACP, professor of medicine and human genetics and director, Cancer Risk Clinic, University of Chicago Medical Center; and Serigne Gueye, professor of urology, University of Cheikh Anta Diop and head of urology, Hospital General de Grand Yoff, Senegal.

American Cancer Society To Host Pre-Conference Workshops at AORTIC Conference 2009 in Tanzania; New ACS Blog Set Up for Tanzania Activities

 

 
  
The American Cancer Society is participating in AORTIC Conference 2009, being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 11-14. The African Organisation for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC) has organized this conference for cancer control advocates from around the world to address the African cancer burden.

In addition to its participation in the conference, the American Cancer Society will be hosting two pre-conference workshops in Dar es Salaam. One is an training event organized for representatives of African nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as part of the American Cancer Society Africa Cancer Information (ACI) program. The ACI event, taking place from Nov. 8-11, will allow these NGOs to learn about NGO management practices and cancer control activities. The other event is an ACS Media Summit for journalists representing print, radio, and TV media organizations thoughout Africa. Journalists will learn about best practices in health reporting, especially as they relate to creating greater awareness of cancer and tobacco control in the public. This Media Summit, taking place from Nov. 9-11, has been made possible with the generous support of Oracle, the Canadian Cancer Society, and AORTIC.

The American Cancer Society has set up a new blog at http://cancer.blogs.com/acsaortic to post materials and updates related to both pre-conference workshops and the AORTIC Conference. Materials include press releases, speaker biographies, fact sheets, and more. You can use the links in "Catgories" in the left column of the blog to find materials related to each subject. Also, check the "Quick Links" and "Twitter Updates" section in the right column to find useful information and resources on cancer and tobacco control in Africa and around the world.

American Cancer Society Sponsors, Holds Workshop at 2009 US-Africa Business Summit

 
Participants in the American Cancer Society panel discussion on cancer and other noncommunicable diseases.  From left to right:  Haskell Ward, SEACOMM; Tom Glynn, PhD, American Cancer Society; Lisa A. Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center; Mo Mayrides, PhRMA International Development Alliance; Michelle DeMoor, Philips Health Care. (Not pictured: Funmi Olopade, MD, FACP, University of Chicago)

 
United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses the summit participants.

The American Cancer Society is proud to have sponsored a panel discussion at the 2009 US-Africa Business Summit, which was held September 29-October 1 in Washington, D.C. This biennial event, which was organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), brought together more than 1,500 leaders from the public and private sectors to explore business and investment opportunities in Africa. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a speech at the summit in which she underscored the Obama administration’s commitment to Africa and its vision of the region representing the global economic engine of the 21st century. On development issues including health, she emphasized long-term solutions, metrics, and integration with diplomatic efforts. The American Cancer Society hosted one of several health-related workshops at the summit. The workshop, titled The Changing Health Landscape in Africa and the Private Sector Response: Non-Communicable Diseases, Cancer and Chronic Conditions, brought together a panel of five leading global health experts from the public and private sectors. It was moderated by Thomas Glynn, PhD, director, Cancer Science and Trends and director, International Cancer Control, American Cancer Society. The panel of experts included Michelle DeMoor, senior director, International Policy and Government Relations, Philips Health Care; Lisa A. Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, director, Breast Care Center, and professor of surgery, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center; Mo Mayrides, director, PhRMA International Alliance Development; Funmi Olopade, MD, FACP, Walter L. Palmer distinguished service professor of Medicine and Human Genetics, University of Chicago; and Haskell Ward, senior vice president, Government Relations, SEACOM. They discussed Africa’s changing disease profile and the unique role the private sector can play in controlling the rising burden of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases on the continent.

American Cancer Society CEO Dr. John Seffrin Delivers Summit Keynote Address and Participates in Panel Moderated by CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta

American Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer John R. Seffrin, PhD (right), responds to a question from CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta (left).

 

American Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer John R. Seffrin, PhD, delivers Summit keynote address.

 

On August 24, the opening day of the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, American Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer John R. Seffrin, PhD, participated in a panel discussion on the global impact of cancer and how it affects individuals, families, communities, and governments. The panel, moderated by CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, also included Dr. Werner Burkart, deputy director general, International Atomic Energy Agency; Dr. Christopher P. Wild, director, International Agency for Research on Cancer; and Lynn Faulds Wood, president, European Cancer Patient Coalition. The evening's events at the summit included a keynote address from Dr. Seffrin during the first dinner of the conference. Dr. Seffrin's remarks focused on the impact of cancer around the globe and what it will take to stem the tide of this worldwide pandemic, calling attention to topics like access to care, cancer prevention, and empowering cancer survivors.

Watch Video Podcast of American Cancer Society CEO Interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN's 'House Call'

Dr. Sanjay Gupta (center) interviews American Cancer Society CEO Dr. John Seffrin (right) on CNN program 'House Call.'

Last weekend, on the CNN program 'House Call,' Dr. Sanjay Gupta reported from Dublin, Ireland, from the first-ever LiveStrong Global Cancer Summit. He interviewed American Cancer Society CEO Dr. John Seffrin, asking Dr. Seffrin about the passing of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, reports on Senator Kennedy’s courageous battle against brain cancer, and his example as an “empowered patient.”

You can view the full interview by clicking on this link: http://bit.ly/PEMOh  Look for the interview starting about 10 minutes, 10 seconds into the broadcast.

WATCH – Dr. Seffrin to Appear on Weekend Airing of ‘House Call’ with Dr. Sanjay Gupta

This weekend, Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports from Dublin, Ireland, from the first-ever LiveStrong Global Cancer Summit on progress in the fight against cancer around the world, tobacco control, and eliminating the stigma of cancer. In an interview with American Cancer Society CEO Dr. John Seffrin, Gupta talks about the passing of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, reports on Senator Kennedy’s courageous battle against brain cancer, and his example as an “empowered patient.”  Dr. Gupta also interviews Dr. Henry Friedman, an internationally-renown neuro-oncologist at the Robert Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University in North Carolina, and discusses treatments for brain tumors.

American Cancer Society Hosts Panel Discussion on Stigma of Cancer at Livestrong Global Cancer Summit

Greg Donaldson, national vice president of Corporate Communications for the American Cancer Society moderates a panel discussion on cancer stigma. Panelists include (from left to right): Dr. Xishan Hao, president of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Dr. M. R. Rajagopal, founder and chairman of Pallium India; Dr. Alejandro Mohar, director of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico; Rick Lyke, cancer survivor and founder of Pints for Prostates, a nonprofit based in the United States; and Molebatsi Pooe-Shongwe, a cancer survivor and founder of BreastSens, a nonprofit breast health and health care rights initiative in South Africa.

On the final day of the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, the American Cancer Society hosted a lively panel discussion on the stigma of cancer in different countries around the world. Greg Donaldson, national vice president of Corporate Communications for the American Cancer Society, served as the moderator for the event, providing context and perspective on the topic and guiding the conversation among the panelists. The five distinguished guests on the panel included Dr. Xishan Hao, president of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Dr. M. R. Rajagopal, founder and chairman of Pallium India; Dr. Alejandro Mohar, director of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico; Rick Lyke, cancer survivor and founder of Pints for Prostates, a nonprofit based in the United States; and Molebatsi Pooe-Shongwe, a cancer survivor and founder of BreastSens, a nonprofit breast health and health care rights initiative in South Africa. The panelists provided insights on some of the cultural, gender-based, and political reasons for the stigma associated with cancer in their countries. They also offered ideas on breaking the influence of the stigma, including empowering survivors to tell their stories and the importance of doctors, nongovernmental organizations, the media, and government institutions working more closely together to create better public awareness of cancer control methods.

Lance Armstrong Joins American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation at Release of The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition

Release of The Tobacco Atlas at Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland. Left to right: Dr. Judith Mackay, Atlas co-author and special advisor to World Lung Foundation; Lance Armstrong, founder and chairman of Lance Armstrong Foundation; and Dr John R. Seffrin, chief executive officer, American Cancer Society

On Tuesday morning at the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, Lance Armstrong, founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, joined representatives of the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation for a media briefing to release The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition. The Tobacco Atlas, published by the American Cancer Society and the World Lung Foundation, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date study of tobacco use and tobacco-control efforts worldwide. In addition to remarks from Lance Armstrong, several other spoke at the event, including John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer, American Cancer Society; Hana Ross, PhD, book co-author, economist, and strategic director of international tobacco control, American Cancer Society; and Judith Mackay, MD, book co-author, special advisor at the World Lung Foundation, and senior policy advisor to the World Health Organization.

American Cancer Society Hosts Lunch to Welcome Participants and Partners at First-Ever Livestrong Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland

Terry Fontham, MPH, DrPH, president of the American Cancer Society addresses participants and partners at welcome luncheon hosted by the American Cancer Society during the Livestrong Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland

On August 23, the American Cancer Society kicked off its role as an Ambassador Sponsor of the three-day Livestrong Global Cancer Summit that begins today in Dublin, Ireland. The American Cancer Society on Sunday hosted a luncheon for more than 60 cancer and tobacco control partners worldwide, including representatives of nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, and the media. The luncheon was held to honor the many contributions of these diverse collaborators in fighting the global cancer burden. The American Cancer Society staff and volunteers gave remarks at the event, including John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer; Terry Fontham, MPH, DrPH, president; and Nathan Grey, national vice president, International Affairs. Doug Ulman, chief executive officer and president of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and John McCormack, chief executive officer of the Irish Cancer Society, also addressed the gathering. The American Cancer Society is a global collaborating partner with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. As an Ambassador Sponsor of the Global Cancer Summit, the Society will be actively participating in several events during the three-day event.