On 4 February 2017, World Cancer Day returns under the tagline “We can. I can.” World Cancer Day 2016-2018 explores how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.
The cancer burden is felt especially hard in low- and middle-income countries that are unable to offer proper treatment and care. There is still the disparity in the cancer survival. For instance, 66% of people in low- and middle-income countries will not survive their cancer, compared to only 47% in high-income countries.
When cancer struck someone, they normally find themselves devastated and afraid. Surviving cancer in countries that lack the support and care, the word empowerment is not in patients’ dictionaries. But if we could increase the access to treatment and care in these countries, can we turn the tables?
Here at The Max Foundation, we believe access to treatment is access to life. Every day, we work together with our partners to support people living with cancer in countries where cancer still carries stigma and discrimination. But we want to go beyond the cancer treatment, we want to help people thriving with cancer.
I recently learned about Rosario, a cancer patient, and advocate in Mexico. After being diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), she is journeying through cancer with the support from The Max Foundation. Access to life-saving treatment was made possible by our multi-sectoral partnerships with pharmaceutical industry partners, governments, and the health care team.
We have learned through our work that facing cancer is more than treatment alone. We believe uplifting patients is important to ensure patients living well with cancer. Rosario has proven that a cancer patient can step up to becoming an agent of change when given necessary support. Today, she is leading her patient organization named Manitas, which helps children in Mexico face cancer.
“I proudly give others the love and care I have received through The Max Foundation!”
The world needs more people like Rosario. The word empowerment can be in cancer patients’ dictionaries. Since our founding, collaboration is at the heart of our work. Building a future where every patient can access the best treatment and support requires a comprehensive approach. “We Can. I Can” is not two separate entities. They come together as one.
World Cancer Day brought us an important opportunity to convey our message of inclusiveness. No matter high-income or low- and middle-income countries, facing cancer remains difficult. In order to increase global access to treatment, care, and support for people living with cancer, all of us must work globally.
The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For 28 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope.
For the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day, we asked our global team members, physicians, patients, caregivers, and advocates to share what progress in cancer care means to them. Progress means all cancer patients get the treatment they deserve.[/e World Cancer Day, celebrated on February 4, is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness….
“I saw inspiration when I met him for the first time. That’s the day I decided I want to be a source of inspiration for others.”
Max Family Malaysia celebrated 10 years of service to cancer patients in Malaysia by sharing stories and song, and remembering those that have served as an inspiration to others.
Health systems around the world are strained due to the high burden of costs. In an attempt to guide decision-makers in their choices on behalf of patients, the topic of value frameworks was born. These value frameworks evaluate all aspects of cancer treatment: clinical benefit, side effects, and improvement in patient symptoms or quality of life. But given the complexities of the multitude of health systems around the world, it is not a straightforward discussion. And right now, it’s a dialogue driven by thought leaders and health economists from the US and Europe. But there are critical voices is missing from this discussion: patients and patient advocates.
