Friends of Cancer Patients Takes Part in the World Cancer Congress

Exchanging Local Expertise on a Global Stage

Friends of Cancer Patients from the UAE Takes Part in the 2014 World Cancer Congress, Melbourne

Participation in the 2014 World Cancer Congress shines spotlight on the effectiveness of local initiatives.

Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), the leading cancer specific charity in the UAE and a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) since 2010, participated in the World Cancer Congress, which took place in Melbourne, Australia from December 2nd to 6th.

Through FoCP’s participation, global attention was drawn to the significant advancements that the UAE has made over recent years in raising cancer control and awareness, and to the breadth and effectiveness of the initiatives that FoCP now provides.

The biennial congress is one of the most central events on the global cancer agenda. It brings together organisations from more than 100 member countries of UICC. The congress attracts highly influential and leading specialists, who address the challenges and advances in the oncology milieu including topics related to prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and survivorship, advocacy along with ground-breaking cancer control systems.

"With over 2,700 delegates from 110 countries, the World Cancer Congress is a best-practice example of the importance of collaboration when it comes to fighting cancer globally. We are therefore thrilled to have had organisations such as the Friends of Cancer Patients playing such an active role in this meeting, and sharing their knowledge and experiences with others. We have to unite the cancer community and act together", said Mary Gospodarowicz, President, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

On the significance of the FoCP’s involvement in the event, HE Ameera Binkaram remarked: “The importance of Friends of Cancer Patients’ participation in the 2014 WCC lies in its diversity. This year, we have considerably expanded the scope of our contribution in comparison to our involvement in the 2012 WCC held in Montreal.  International collaborations, global initiatives and knowledge-sharing with other organisations around the world are all essential to moving forward in developing strategies with long-term benefits. International collaborations can trigger remarkable changes, as they help create a strong patient-support system locally, and expand the reach and impact of our awareness-raising activities. For this reason, as a charity, we are increasingly keen to leverage the value of being both a regional leader and a global partner. WCC is one of the most important stages on which we can perform that dual role, and bring global attention to our region’s achievements.”

The significance of WCC stems from the fact that it offers a global platform for international experts to share their insights into future trends, and exchange indigenous practices in the realm of cancer advocacy. This year's conference was titled Joining Forces: Accelerating Progress, which reinforced the impact of investing in existing knowledge rather than waiting for prospective advances to change the scene.

Friends of Cancer Patients charity, highlighted the efforts of all the healthcare bodies in the United Arab Emirates who work alongside the charity, namely Federal healthcare body (MOH), Governmental Healthcare Bodies, Abu Dhabi Heath Authorities (HAAD), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Sharjah Health Authority (SHA), and the like. During the session, FoCP’s delegation stressed the urge to unite the cancer communities to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda. The delegation also reviewed the importance of adopting advocacy toolkits, and supporting National Cancer Control Planning (NCCP) as a toolkit for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), along with the role of International Cancer Control Partnerships (ICCP) in supporting national cancer control plan development and implementation.

Moreover, on the same day, the Pink Caravan; FoCP’s breast cancer initiative, took part in one of the e-poster sessions, offering the platform to showcase the prominent accomplishments of the initiative in terms of breast cancer awareness-raising in the UAE. This engagement underlined Pink Caravan’s collaboration with the Canadian University of Dubai in 2014, which resulted in a publication of an academic paper. This study was conducted to address the behaviour and attitude of 496 women of different socio-demographic characteristic towards breast cancer screening in the UAE. While 236 women from this study were referred to mammogram/ ultrasound, a low uptake of only 37% of women responded, requiring more health education, awareness and health support, impacting on future campaign planning.

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In addition, Friends of Cancer Patients was also present through an illustrative booth at the Global Village in Australia throughout the duration of the congress, with all its initiatives; The Pink Caravan: breast cancer’s initiative, The Mole Talk: skin cancer’s initiative in partnership with Nivea, Ana: childhood cancer initiative, and Shanab: men’s health care initiative, all of which fall under the umbrella initiative of early detection; Kashf. The booth acquainted the visitors with FoCP’s several initiatives and mirrored the charity’s prosperity with a timeline on the floor reflecting the charity’s main achievements and accomplishments since its inception. The booth presented information for the visitors at the conference about all of the industrious efforts exerted by FoCP’s initiatives to raise awareness and improve the lives of those touched by cancer.

The congress attracted high level attendance, including Her Excellency Madam Tobeka Madiba Zuma – First Lady of the Republic of South Africa, Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired; Director General – the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF), Dr. John Seffrin; Chief Executive Officer – American Cancer Society, Cary Adams; Chief Executive Officer – Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Her Excellency Ameera Binkaram; President of Board of Trustees and a founding member of the Friends of Cancer Patients,  Sir George Alleyne; Director Emeritus – the Pan-American Health Organisation and many more.
HE Ameera Binkaram, who headed the charity’s delegation, stressed, throughout her participation on the third day, the numerous components of cancer advocacy. Binkaram highlighted the invaluable contribution that civil society organisations can offer in regard to cancer advocacy, in order to meet the needs of people living with cancer, and in working together to influence change in cancer service provision, as well as developing and sustaining support. According to Binkaram, legislative and regulatory issues that affect cancer care and research should be addressed to generate a formula that sets the standard for a civil society role model, of which raising public awareness is a key constituent. Binkaram also underscored the pivotal role of Her Highness Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi; Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients society (FoCP), International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, as leading cancer advocate in providing people with cancer, especially paediatric cancer patients, the necessary support that contributes to improving their lives.

On the same day, Friends of Cancer Patients delivered a presentation on Patients and Healthcare Providers. The session examined the connection between non-governmental organisations and cancer advocacy, and inspected the gap between patients and HCPs, stressing FoCP’s role as a leading cancer advocate in the UAE.  The presentation stated thatcancer advocacy is sought on two levels; local and international. On the local level, cancer advocacy comprises creating awareness about the disease targeting patients and communities via a set of awareness campaigns such as Kashf; the early detection initiative. It also entails activating the beneficiary department, which facilitates communication with patients. On the international level, however, cancer advocacy encompasses sharing knowledge and local experience and practices, occupying positions in international organizations such as UICC, and participating in world such as WCC and World Cancer Leaders’ Summit (WCLS).

On a related note, FoCP co-hosted a session on the second day about defining cancer priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean region with King Hussein Cancer Foundation. This session examined the different methods of ensuring successful multisectoral collaboration in order to convey National Cancer Control Plans, and summarised the steps that have been taken in that regard in Jordan and the UAE. The session further provided a prospective estimation for 2030, which stated that approximately 1 million new cases will be detected with 650,000 death incidents and 30-40% of preventable cancers.