ASEAN nations unite to address the socio-economic burden of cancer

The ASEAN Foundation today organised the First ASEAN Cancer Stakeholders Forum to address soaring cancer rates in the region, and to launch the second phase of a landmark study aimed at gathering data on the socio-economic burden of cancer in 10 ASEAN countries. A Call to Action for Regional Leaders and Policymakers In his keynote address, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN, noted that the ASEAN Stakeholders Forum presents a unique opportunity for key government decision-makers, leading regional and international experts and health officials to come together with a unified goal of addressing issues related to cancer care and costs. “There is no doubt that spiralling incidences of cancer will soon cause a major and growing economic burden to individuals and their families in the ASEAN region. As the prevalence of cancer continues to increase, it is imperative that we mobilise ASEAN member nations and encourage them to put in place a strategic, focussed cancer-control healthcare policy. This policy must be supported by organised, evidence-based cancer prevention programmes, and strengthened by reliable local patient registries and population databases,” he said Dr Pitsuwan also stressed that if cancer epidemic in the ASEAN region is not dealt with now, it is likely to take a toll on the region’s ill-prepared health systems, eventually undermining the region’s economy. Landmark study on cancer burden In recognizing the impact of cancer on ASEAN health, The ASEAN Foundation is working to raise awareness of the growing cancer burden and catalyse political action to reverse the epidemic. The ASEAN Cancer Stakeholders Forum today were introduced to a landmark study titled ‘The Burden of Cancer and its Economic and Social Impact on ASEAN Communities’. The study is a private-public initiative aiming to provide unprecedented data on the epidemiology of cancer in the region, and will also delve into the socio-economic burden of cancer on patients and their families in all ten member states. “To confront the cancer crisis, we not only need a coordinated regional response from ASEAN governments but also an effective public-private partnership to design and implement comprehensive cancer control programmes” said Dr Makarim Wibisono, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation. “We hope that the Study will assist ASEAN decision makers at different levels to make informed choices on cancer control policies and resource allocations. At the Forum today we hope to strengthen member states capacities to plan and deliver effective cancer control programmes, as the Forum participants will have the opportunity to hear from international and regional healthcare professionals with extensive experience in implementing and evaluating cancer control programmes,” continued Dr Wibisono. The Top Regional Killers: Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer Results from the first part of the two-year Study were shared with the participants of the ASEAN Cancer Stakeholders Forum, offering them a comprehensive picture of cancer incidence in the ASEAN region. In presenting the data, Professor Mark Woodward, from The George Institute for Global Health in Sydney noted that there were around 700 thousand new cancer cases in the ASEAN member countries in 2008 and half a million deaths from cancer in the same year. “Among men, lung cancer led to most cancer deaths, followed by liver and colorectal cancer. Among women, the top three sites for cancer mortality were breast, lung and cervix. There are, however, great geographical variations between the ASEAN communities. For example, mortality rates for breast cancer in Indonesia were roughly three times higher than rates in Laos and Viet Nam, whilst stomach cancer rates in Viet Nam were around four to five times higher than rates in Laos, the Philippines and Thailand. Research is needed to understand the reasons for these variations,” elaborated Dr. Woodward. His call for action was echoed by the participants at the ASEAN Stakeholders Forum who pledged closer cooperation to support the Cancer Study. “Only by working together can we ensure cancer is recognized as an imminent health challenge, and is seriously addressed as a development, health, and equity issue in ASEAN,” concluded Dr Wibisono at the close of the Forum. About the ASEAN Cancer Study The ASEAN Cancer Landmark Study is a private-public initiative aiming to provide unprecedented data on cancer epidemiology, as well as on the socio-economic burden of cancer on patients and their families in all ten member states. The Study is a 2 years or more prospective study that will involve more than 10,000 cancer patients in all 10 ASEAN member countries. The study hopes to strengthen member nation’s capacity to plan and deliver effective cancer control programmes by providing valuable information and modelling to guide public health action and priorities. The ASEAN Cancer Landmark Study is conducted by The George Institute for Global Health, and is wholly supported by an unrestricted grant from Roche (Asia Pacific). About the ASEAN Foundation The ASEAN Foundation was established by the ASEAN Leaders in December 1997 during ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary Commemorative Summit to help bring about shared prosperity and a sustainable future to all 10 ASEAN Member Countries, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The two-fold objectives of the ASEAN Foundation as reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding establishing it are as follows: It shall promote greater awareness of ASEAN, and greater interaction among the peoples of ASEAN as well as their wider participation in ASEAN’s activities inter alia through human resources development that will enable them to realize their full potential and capacity to contribute to progress of ASEAN Member States as productive and responsible members of the society.It shall also endeavour to contribute to the evolution of a development cooperation strategy that promotes mutual assistance, equitable economic development, and the alleviation of poverty About The George Institute The George Institute for Global Health is an internationally-recognised health research organisation, undertaking high impact research across a broad health landscape. Affiliated with the University of Sydney, the Institute is a leader in the clinical trials, health policy and capacity-building areas. The Institute has a global network of top medical experts in a range of research fields as well as expertise in research design, project management and data and statistical analysis. With a respected voice among global policy makers, The Institute has attracted significant funding support from governments, philanthropic organizations and corporations. George Institute research is regularly published in the top tier of academic journals internationally. About Roche Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80'000 employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com For more information: Sornsopin Puttachartsaewee Hill & Knowlton Thailand Tel +66 02 6273501 ext 101 E-mail: [email protected]

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