title: Global health perspective on gynecologic oncology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe challenges faced by low-middle income countries (LMICs) across the cancer spectrum, with specific focus on gynecologic cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE was searched for research articles published in English between January 1, 2000 and February 1, 2015 which reported on global health efforts in LMICs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An estimated 80% of global cancer burden and only 5% of global cancer spending affect LMICs. The overwhelming majority of cervical cancer cases and related deaths occur in LMICs. The charge to close this cancer divide is at the center of global health efforts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention is central to global health efforts to close the cancer divide. The gynecologic oncology community is well positioned to lead efforts in global health by partnering with institutions, professional societies and advocacy groups.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: mdelcarmen@partners.org.
authors.forename: Marcela G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: del Carmen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, United States.
authors.forename: Laurel W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Schmeler
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty
keywords: Global; Health; Low-middle income countries