Need for global partnership in cancer care: perceptions of cancer care researchers attending the 2010 australia and Asia pacific clinical oncology research development workshop.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the diversity of issues and the breadth of growing clinical care, professional education, and clinical research needs of developing countries, not typically represented in Western or European surveys of cancer care and research.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted of the attendees at the 2010 Australia and Asia Pacific Clinical Oncology Research Development workshop (Queensland, Australia) about the most important health care questions facing the participant's home countries, especially concerning cancer.


RESULTS
Early-career oncologists and advanced oncology trainees from a region of the world containing significant low- and middle-income countries reported that cancer is an emerging health priority as a result of aging of the population, the impact of diet and lifestyle, and environmental pollution. There was concern about the capacity of health care workers and treatment facilities to provide cancer care and access to the latest cancer therapies and technologies. Although improving health care delivery was seen as a critical local agenda priority, focusing on improved cancer research activities in this select population was seen as the best way that others outside the country could improve outcomes for all.


CONCLUSIONS
The burden of cancer will increase dramatically over the next 20 years, particularly in countries with developing and middle-income economies. Cancer research globally faces significant barriers, many of which are magnified in the developing country setting. Overcoming these barriers will require partnerships sensitive and responsive to both local and global needs.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center; Department of Surgery; Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC; Discipline of Palliative and Supportive Services; Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide; National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown; Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred and Concord Hospitals, Sydney, Australia; Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan; Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India; NCIC Clinical Trials Group, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
H Kim
HK
Lyerly
Amy P
AP
Abernethy
Martin R
MR
Stockler
Bogda
B
Koczwara
Zeba
Z
Aziz
Reena
R
Nair
Lesley
L
Seymour