The Global Fight Against Cancer

American Cancer Society in China Prior to the UICC Conference: Hosting Advocacy Workshop, Participating in Global Health Partnerships Program

American Cancer Society Chief Operating Officer Greg Bontrager (center) speaks with workshop participants in Hong Kong.

 

Prior to the start of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010 in Shenzhen, China, the American Cancer Society hosted the final workshop as part of its Asia Regional Cancer Control Program in Hong Kong from August 12-15. More than 30 representatives from the program’s ten grantee organizations attended the event, which focused on cancer control advocacy principles and practices. The workshop featured regional guest speakers such as Jack Sim, a global activist for water and sanitation facilities in low-resource settings, Ken Hanioka and Ryoji Noritake of Health Policy Institute Japan, Ratih Hardjono, a prominent advocacy and communications expert based in Indonesia, and representatives of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Immediate Past President Elizabeth “Terry” Fontham, MPH, DrPH, presented a module on advocacy collaborations. American Cancer Society Chief Operating Officer Greg Bontrager facilitated an executive roundtable to discuss advocacy as it relates to program sustainability as well as future engagement of the Society with regional stakeholders. Grantees developed national advocacy workplans as part of the workshop and identified areas of regional overlap. Attendees also offered input on the Society’s global advocacy strategy and ideas for mobilizing grassroots partners throughout Southeast Asia in a noncommunicable disease campaign. The workshop was funded through a grant to the American Cancer Society by the Pfizer Foundation and was attended by Pfizer Asia representatives. The grant-funded program will continue through December 2010.

  

In addition, American Cancer Society staff participated in a workshop for Global Health Partnerships initiative grantees in Shenzhen, China, in advance of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010. The workshop convened cancer and tobacco control organizations from around the world to discuss program sustainability. The American Cancer Society manages three projects funded by the initiative: the Asia Regional Cancer Control Program, the Latin America Regional Health Grants Program, and the Smokefree at Work (Travaillons Sans Fumee) program in North Africa. Collectively, these programs have directly engaged a total of 32 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and nearly 150,000 stakeholders (including screened individuals, companies, policymakers, youth, and volunteers), and reached millions through informational materials, media, and research. American Cancer Society staff Johanna Ralston, vice president, Global Strategies, and Alessandra Durstine, vice president, Regional Programs, presented at the workshop on strategic fundraising and grassroots advocacy for noncommunicable disease. In addition, eight Asia program grantees were supported through the American Cancer Society’s grant to attend the workshop and UICC conference. The Global Health Partnerships initiative is funded by Pfizer Foundation and Pfizer, Inc. The American Cancer Society has been a grantee since 2007 and the Society’s grant-funded programs will continue through 2010 and early 2011.

 

Day Four at the UICC Conference: Community Mobilization, Cervical Cancer Prevention, Conference Closing Ceremony

John Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer, American Cancer Society (right), and Doug Ulman, president and chief executive officer, LIVESTRONG (left), deliver a report on the World Cancer Leaders' Summit, held earlier in the week at the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010, at the closing ceremony of the conference on Day Four.

 

The American Cancer Society participated in more conference sessions during the fourth and final day of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010. The following are highlights of those activities.

  

  

A morning session titled “Actions for System Change: Community Mobilization Strategies for the 21^st Century” featured a dialogue with John Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer, American Cancer Society, and Doug Ulman, president and chief executive officer, LIVESTRONG^®. Dr. Seffrin and Mr. Ulman shared their views on programs and methods that are most effective in mobilizing communities to take action on cancer control. Dr. Seffrin cited the American Cancer Society Relay For Life^® as a prime example of a program that empowers people in the United States and around the world to raise greater awareness about cancer issues and raise funding to fight back against cancer. Dr. Seffrin also highlighted the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network^SM (ACS CAN), a sister organization of the American Cancer Society, as a model organization that effectively advocates on cancer issues and influences policymakers in the United States to create laws that address the needs of those affected by cancer and promote cancer prevention and early detection. Mr. Ulman remarked on the importance of collaboration among global cancer control organizations and the use of social media in creating greater awareness around the world about cancer issues and what cancer control organizations are doing to combat the growing global burden of cancer. Both of them agreed that next year’s United Nations special summit on noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, will be essential for positive public policy change on the global burden of cancer.

  

  

The American Cancer Society participated in another conference session addressing cervical cancer prevention. American Cancer Society Immediate Past President Elizabeth “Terry” Fontham, MPH, DrPH, and Johanna Ralston, vice president, Global Strategies, American Cancer Society, were among the speakers for this session. Dr. Fontham spoke about the need for cervical cancer prevention worldwide, and mentioned some specific needs for prevention methods in Africa. Dr. Fontham presented case studies on cervical cancer prevention work in Guatemala and Nicaragua as best practices for prevention of the disease. This conference session was co-chaired by South Africa First Lady Madame Madiba-Zuma, a strong advocate for addressing women’s cancer issues in South Africa and across the continent. Madame Zuma talked about the challenges of cervical cancer control in her country and her role as the current chair of the Forum of African First Ladies Against Breast & Cervical Cancer, launched last year in South Africa by Madame Zuma and several fellow African first ladies to promote greater awareness of breast and cervical cancer issues throughout Africa.

  

  

In other conference sessions during the day, American Cancer Society Chief Medical Officer Otis Brawley, MD, gave a presentation in a conference session on “Balancing Public Messages on Screening: Risks, Benefits, and Guidelines.” Rijo M. John, PhD, director, international tobacco control research, American Cancer Society, led a conference session focusing on the findings from a major report released earlier this week by the American Cancer Society and LIVESTRONG, “The Global Economic Cost of Cancer.” Dr. John served as a co-author on the report along with Hana Ross, PhD, strategic director, international tobacco control research, American Cancer Society.

  

  

In the late afternoon, many conference participants gathered for the closing ceremony for the UICC World Cancer Congress. One of the main presentations of this closing ceremony was a report on the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit delivered by Dr. John Seffrin and Doug Ulman, who discussed the outcomes from the Summit held on the second day of the conference. UICC representatives announced that their organization will be changing its official name in English to the “Union for International Cancer Control” (until now, the name has been the “International Union Against Cancer”). UICC representatives also announced that there were more than 3,200 participants at this year’s conference, and that they looked forward to seeing these participants again at the next UICC World Cancer Congress, to be held two years from now in Montreal, Canada.

  

Overall, this year’s UICC World Cancer Congress was a successful event. American Cancer Society staff and volunteer leadership played influential roles in many conference sessions. In addition, the American Cancer Society hosted 20 Africa and Asia grantees at the conference as part of a strategic to leverage on-the-ground expertise to align with the Society’s global goals to elevate global cancer and tobacco control on the world’s health agenda. Participation in the conference helped these partners by granting them access to international peers, emerging evidence, and information on global campaigns.

UICC Conference, Day Three: ACS-Sponsored Session on Tobacco Control in Sub-Saharan Africa, Other Conference Sessions and Activities

George W.P. Atkins, chair, National Board of Directors, American Cancer Society, moderates a panel discussion during an ACS-sponsored conference session on tobacco control in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

The American Cancer Society sponsored and participated in several high-profile sessions and meetings during the third day of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010. The following are highlights of those activities.

 

The American Cancer Society sponsored a session for conference participants at the UICC World Cancer Congress addressing “The Last Opportunity to Prevent a Tobacco Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa.” The session gave an overview of the growing tobacco burden on sub-Saharan Africa and the efforts of the American Cancer Society and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to combat this growing epidemic through global cancer advocacy and educating the media. The panel discussion at the session was moderated by American Cancer Society volunteer George W.P. Atkins, chair, National Board of Directors, American Cancer Society. Speakers on the panel included Nathan Grey, MPH, national vice president, Global Health, American Cancer Society; Dr. Judith Mackay, senior advisor, World Lung Foundation; Patricia Lambert, director, International Legal Consortium, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; and Anso Thom, print editor, Health-e news service in South Africa. Mr. Grey spoke about the American Cancer Society’s new global strategy on cancer advocacy and tobacco control. A large part of this new strategy includes the new African Tobacco Control Consortium, a global coalition of public health-oriented organizations led and coordinated by the American Cancer Society and funded with a $7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which uses evidence-based approaches to stem the growing tobacco epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. The other panelists spoke about the negative impacts of tobacco use and tobacco industry practices on the continent, and how the media can help inform the public and influence policymakers on tobacco control laws.

 

American Cancer Society Chief Medical Officer Otis Brawley, MD, spoke at two conference sessions, “Seeking Civil Society Involvement in Global Policy – The WHO and UICC Partnership-Tobacco Control Programmes” and “Latest Developments in GYN Cancer: Cervix, Endometrial, and Ovarian.” In a conference session on “Dispelling Global Cancer Myths Through Engaging Journalists,” American Cancer Society staff Alessandra Durstine, vice president, Regional Programs, and Cristina Parsons Perez, PhD, program manager, Latin America Programs, gave presentations on best practices for cancer control NGOs to leverage the power of the media to foster an open and evidence-based dialogue around cancer. Other Society staff and volunteer leadership participated in sessions that examined smoke-free settings and strategic approaches to public-private branding of cancer organizations.

 

In other conference-related activities and news:

 

• John Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer, American Cancer Society, and Doug Ulman, chief executive officer, LIVESTRONG, met with journalists from the Reuters news organization to discuss the newly released ACS/LIVESTRONG report “The Global Economic Cost of Cancer.”

 

• Elizabeth “Terry” Fontham, MPH, DrPH, immediate past president, American Cancer Society, met with South Africa’s First Lady Madame Tobeka Zuma to discuss cervical cancer issues in South Africa.

 

• An article appeared in China Daily, the largest English language news organization in mainland China, which addressed China’s “lethal habit” of smoking and referenced the newly released American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation publication The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition in Chinese, launched yesterday at the UICC World Cancer Congress in China. The article also included observations on tobacco use in developing countries from Dr. John Seffrin.

 

UICC Conference, Day Two: World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, ‘Tobacco Atlas’ Press Conference, ACS/LIVESTRONG Joint Dinner

Dr. John Seffrin, chief executive officer, American Cancer Society, addresses participants at the World Cancer Leaders' Summit at the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010 in China. See more photos of ACS activities at the conference below the article.

  

  

The American Cancer Society co-hosted and participated in several high-profile events during the second day of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010. The following are highlights of those activities.

  

The American Cancer Society co-sponsored the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, a major gathering of cancer control leaders from around the world representing health, government, nongovernmental organization (NGO), and corporate sectors. Other sponsors for the Summit included the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), LIVESTRONG^® (Lance Armstrong Foundation), the World Economic Forum, and the World Health Organization (WHO). John Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer, American Cancer Society, and a former president of the UICC, joined other internationally recognized cancer control experts in discussing progress in the global fight against cancer and contributions to a long-term plan supporting the implementation of the World Cancer Declaration. The World Cancer Declaration is a global call to action by policymakers describing 11 targets that, if achieved, will help reverse the cancer epidemic. Following the Summit, Dr. Seffrin and other leaders took questions from journalists at a press briefing.

  

The American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation (WLF) launched the Chinese language version of The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition, at a standing-room only press conference at the UICC World Cancer Congress. The book, co-published by the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation, presents the latest data on global tobacco use and tobacco control, displaying much of the data in full color maps and charts. About 40 journalists covered the event, asking many questions of the speakers. Those speakers included Dr. John Seffrin; Dr. Judith Mackay, Tobacco Atlas co-author, senior advisor to WLF, and senior policy advisor to the WHO; Peter Baldini, chief executive officer, World Lung Foundation; Professor Gong-Huan Yang, deputy director of the China Center for Disease Control (China CDC); and Cary Adams, chief executive officer, UICC. Dr. Seffrin stressed the importance of The Tobacco Atlas as a valuable resource for tobacco control advocates and policymakers worldwide. He also noted that the data from The Tobacco Atlas will be critical for policymakers in China as they address the growing tobacco burden in their country. Dr. Mackay echoed Dr. Seffrin’s assessment of the book, emphasizing that important information on tobacco use and control can be found on every page. Dr. Mackay, who is based in Hong Kong, also made several observations about the harmful effects of tobacco use on China’s economy and public health. For more information about The Tobacco Atlas, please visit http://tobaccoatlas.org

  

In the evening, the American Cancer Society and LIVESTRONG co-hosted a dinner for UICC conference participants. The dinner, titled “The Cost of Cancer,” featured speakers who addressed the economic costs wrought by cancer worldwide. Those speakers included Dr. John Seffrin; Doug Ulman, president and chief executive officer, LIVESTRONG; Dr. Serigne Gueye, president, African Organisation for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC); and Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan. Dr. Seffrin’s remarks focused on the new report ‘The Global Economic Cost of Cancer,’ released earlier this week by the American Cancer Society and LIVESTRONG. Dr. Seffrin described some stunning findings from the report which demonstrate how cancer has become the world’s top “economic killer” in addition to its being the leading cause of death worldwide.

Speakers at the press conference for the launch of the Chinese version of The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition. From left to right: Dr. John Seffrin, national chief executive officer; American Cancer Society; Professor Gong-Huan Yang, deputy director, China CDC; Dr. Judith Mackay, Tobacco Atlas co-author, senior advisor to WLF, and senior policy advisor to the WHO; Peter Baldini, chief executive officer, WLF; Cary Adams, president, UICC.

 
Dr. Judith Mackay showing a section of The Tobacco Atlas during the press conference.

 

 
Some of the 40 journalists and other guests who attended the press conference.

 

Dr. John Seffrin speaking at the ACS/LIVESTRONG joint dinner.

  

Doug Ulman, president and chief executive officer, LIVESTRONG, at the Society/LIVESTRONG joint dinner. 
  

 

American Cancer Society at the UICC Conference, Day One: Opening Ceremony, Award for ACS’s John Stevens, and ‘Tobacco Atlas’ Press Briefing

 
Dr. Xishan Hao addresses conference participants at the opening ceremony of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010.  See more photos from Day One of the conference below the article.

 

This evening in Shenzhen, China, American Cancer Society staff and volunteer leadership joined the global cancer control community, government leaders, civil society, and journalists for the opening of the UICC World Cancer Congress 2010, led by Dr. Xishan Hao, president of UICC World Cancer Congress 2010 and president of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. Distinguished speakers at the opening ceremony included Dr. Chen Zhu, Health Minister for China, who addressed cancer issues facing China and the importance of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) World Cancer Congress.

 

During the UICC General Assembly meeting earlier today, the UICC awarded the American Cancer Society’s John Stevens, MD, former vice president, Research, the UICC Award for Outstanding Volunteer in recognition of his 20-year stewardship of the Society's International Fellowship for Beginning Investigators program. John Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer, American Cancer Society accepted the prestigious award on behalf of Dr. Stevens. About 2,900 attendees and 200 journalists are attending this conference, which takes place every two years. The Society will host and participate in many activities throughout the conference and staff will deliver presentations each day.

 

Also earlier today, Dr. Seffrin joined Tobacco Atlas co-author Dr. Judith Mackay and World Lung Foundation Chief Executive Officer Peter Baldini for a press briefing on the upcoming release of the Chinese version of The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition, published by the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation. A press conference, jointly hosted by the American Cancer Society and the World Lung Foundation, will be held at the UICC World Cancer Congress at 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, August 19. This global Tobacco Atlas, released in Spanish in Mexico City earlier this year and in English last year, is a valuable and user-friendly resource for tobacco control advocates, governments, health care officials, and the media. Chinese media outlets, including Health News, Health Care News, News Express, and China Daily, conducted a group interview to ask questions about the Tobacco Atlas, China’s tobacco burden, and a recent report launched by the China CDC on tobacco usage trends in China.

Slide from UICC award ceremony showing Dr. John Stevens and the award he has received from the UICC.

 

Dr. John Seffrin accepting the UICC award on behalf of Dr. John Stevens.

 

American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation staff and advisors at a press briefing for Chinese journalists on The Tobacco Atlas, Third Edition, in Chinese.

Dr. John Seffrin makes a point during the Tobacco Atlas press briefing.

Some of the Chinese journalists who took part in the Tobacco Atlas press briefing.

 

Film Produced by American Cancer Society Fellow Wins Award at UICC Conference Film Festival

 
Sutapa Biswas

A film produced by Sutapa Biswas, an American Cancer Society fellow and American Cancer Society University alumna, won the Best Personal Story Award at the recent Reel Lives Film Festival, held during the UICC World Cancer Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. Biswas is the executive director of the Cancer Foundation of India. Her film, titled The Art of Living, was one of 264 film entries from around the world. Of those, 33 films representing 16 countries were selected for screening and final judging. Presented in Hindi with English subtitles, The Art of Living tells the story of Sambhu Das, a painter who was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx in 1998. Despite financial and physical limitations, he never was swayed from his goal of becoming a successful painter. Through the story of a person with cancer, the film celebrates the inner strength of a common man. To view a clip of the award-wining film and other award winners from the festival, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULHia8acAg.

American Cancer Society Delivers Progress Report at the UICC 20th World Cancer Congress

UICC 2Oth World Cancer Congress Geneva 2008. John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive office of the American Cancer Society

On August 28, more than 2,000 doctors, researchers, policymakers, and advocates gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 20th World Cancer Congress. At this four-day event organized by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), American Cancer Society chief executive officer Dr. John Seffrin presented a two-year Progress Report on the World Cancer Declaration, drafted at the previous Congress in 2006 as an urgent call to action. The 2008 report provides details on the achievements made since the adoption of 11 agreed-upon action steps described in the World Cancer Declaration. Highlights of the report include continuous progress in tobacco control, palliative care, and improved access to HPV and hepatitis B vaccinations, which can significantly reduce cervical cancer and liver cancer respectively.