Cairo, Egypt – February 4, 2025
On World Cancer Day, the International Cancer Patient Coalition (ICPC), in collaboration with the Arab Alliance Cancer Patient Coalition, is proud to announce the launch of a focused survey addressing the key challenges in cancer care across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This initiative follows the historic launch of the Declaration of Cooperation in Cancer Care at the Breast-Gynecological & Immuno-Oncology International Cancer Conference (BGICC) in Cairo, Egypt, and reinforces the commitment made by regional and international stakeholders to advance equitable cancer care.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, and despite significant advances in treatment, it is far from being cured. Immediate action is critical, particularly in regions where disparities in access to care, early diagnosis, and treatment continue to hinder progress. The survey aims to assess and address the inequities, barriers, and challenges that persist in cancer care, diagnosis, and treatment in the MENA region. Launched on World Cancer Day, the survey serves as a call to action, underscoring the need for immediate and sustained efforts to improve cancer care.
Key topics of the survey:
The survey will explore critical areas highlighted during the Cairo event, including:
- Contributors to Inequities in Cancer Care: Exploring factors such as inconsistent healthcare resource distribution, variations in policies, and limited awareness and health literacy about cancer care.
- Barriers to Advanced Therapies: Identifying challenges like financial barriers, shortages of trained professionals, and gaps in regulatory support, particularly for emerging therapies like immunotherapy.
- The Role of Cancer Registries: Assessing the impact of insufficient cancer registries on resource allocation, patient outcomes, and policy development.
- Delays in Diagnoses and Societal Factors: Investigating cultural, economic, and healthcare system factors contributing to delayed cancer diagnoses, particularly in rural and underserved populations.
- Participation in Clinical Trials: Examining why clinical trial participation remains low in certain regions, particularly for rare cancers, and identifying solutions to increase engagement.
A Call to Action
The results from this global survey will guide the next steps outlined in the Declaration of Cooperation, which include establishing regional centers of excellence, implementing health literacy programs, training healthcare professionals, and leveraging innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of the MENA region. By collecting insights from cancer patients, healthcare providers, and advocates across the region, the survey will create a detailed roadmap for action that addresses disparities and promotes equitable access to cancer care.
Voices from ICPC Leadership
Prof. Hesham Elghazaly, President of the Egyptian Cancer Society, remarked: “The launch of this survey on World Cancer Day is an important moment for us to reflect on the work we have ahead. We need action on cancer, and this survey is a vital tool in gathering the information we need to drive progress. While advances have been made, cancer is far from being cured, and we must intensify our efforts to ensure that no patient is left behind.”
How to Participate
The global survey is now live and open to all stakeholders in the cancer care community. Participants can share their experiences and insights by visiting the ICPC website. Click here to fill out the survey. The survey will remain open through the end of March 2025, and results will be shared publicly at the UN General Assembly in September 2025.
Join Us
ICPC invites all individuals and organizations to contribute to this important effort, ensuring that the voices of patients, healthcare providers, and advocates are heard and acted upon globally. For more information, to participate in the survey, or to request interviews and additional materials, please find contact information below.
For Media Inquiries Contact:
Anđela Škarpa, International Cancer Patient Coalition
Email: andela.skarpa@unite4cancer.com
Phone: +385957263183
Website: www.unite4cancer.com
Radwa Abd El Azyme
Email: radwa_doc@yahoo.com
