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"No
One in the World Deserves Lung Cancer" - Patient Groups From Around
the Globe Demand Increased Spending and Better Patient Access to
Treatments
Leading patient groups from around the world call for global
support
in the fight against one of the world's biggest killers - lung
cancer.
Members of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) unite once again,
for
the fourth International Lung Cancer Awareness Month, to highlight the
inadequacies
in funding for lung cancer and lack of access to optimal care
and
treatments.
Each year ten million people are diagnosed with lung cancer.[1] The
outlook is alarming - 50% of patients will die within a year of
diagnosis[2]
and only 1 in 10 people go on to live longer than five years.
[3]
The disease is just as prevalent in developed continents as in
developing ones.[4] Despite its devastating impact, funding of lung
cancer
research and care is still considerably less than other common cancers
and
other life threatening illnesses. However, lung cancer can be treated
and
is potentially curable if diagnosed early.[5] Improved public
understanding
of lung cancer could lead to early diagnosis and save peoples' lives.
"As support groups we have
to take action," explained Dr Jesme Baird,
Director
of Patient Care at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in the
UK
,
"
Despite the high levels of lung cancer globally, five-year survival
rates
are
decreasing at an unacceptable rate. Health authorities and governments
need
to allocate sufficient funds to help tackle this disease at a local
level
to ensure earlier diagnosis, better patient outcomes and a broader
range
of treatment options.
Why should patients with this disease be deprived of hope? A diagnosis
of
lung
cancer is devastating enough for patients and their families without the
added
pressure of lack of access to treatment and the stigma associated with
the
disease."
The GLCC's plea mirrors the concerns expressed by leading international
lung
cancer specialists. According to research carried out at the World
Congress
on Lung Cancer in 2003, more than 200 physicians from around the
world
warned that lung cancer receives inadequate funding and that people
avoid
seeing their doctor through fear of diagnosis. In addition, two-thirds
of
the survey respondents considered that removing the stigma would
encourage
people
to seek help earlier.
Carolyn
Aldige, President of the Cancer Research and Prevention
Foundation
in the
US
said: "Physicians agree with our view
that there needs
to
be an increase in the level of awareness of lung cancer as well as an
effort
to ensure that treatment of the disease becomes a top priority. It is
vital
that specialists have the resources available to ensure patients
receive
the appropriate quality of care and the education they need for lung
cancer
prevention and early detection."
Dr Baird concluded, "Few lung cancer patients are able to fight for
their
rights
and few have confidence that they will receive the support and
treatment
they need. Our goal is for Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2004 to
raise
the profile of lung cancer and mobilise authorities to ensure the
provision
of resources and support that can help fight such a devastating
condition."
The Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC)
is the world's first
international
coalition of lung cancer patient organisations. The group
established
Lung Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness worldwide about
lung
cancer, to educate people about the symptoms and to challenge the many
misconceptions
and stigmas that surround the disease. The theme of the 2004
awareness
month is "No one in the world deserves lung cancer".
Notes
The WCLC survey included 205 physicians who were chosen at random from
delegates
attending the World Congress on Lung Cancer, an estimated 10 per
cent
of the total attending. Physicians taking part in the survey came from
35
countries:
Argentina
,
Australia
,
Belgium
,
Brazil
,
Canada
,
Chile
,
China
,
Czech
Republic
,
Denmark
,
France
,
Germany
,
Greece
,
Holland
,
India
,
Indonesia
,
Iran
,
Italy
,
Japan
,
Korea
,
Mexico
,
New Zealand
,
Norway
,
Pakistan
,
Portugal
,
Russia
,
Spain
,
Sweden
,
Switzerland
,
Taiwan
,
Thailand
,
Tunisia
,
Turkey
, UAE,
UK
,
USA
.
The survey was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from
AstraZeneca.
For more information about the GLCC please visit the website:
www.lungcancercoalition.org.
References:
1. Perin N, Global variation in cancer incidence and mortality, Current
Science
September 2001:81; 5
2. www.MedicineNet.com
3. www.lungcancercoalition.org
4. Ferlay, J. et al. GLOBOCAN 2000: Cancer Incidence, Mortality and
Prevalence
Worldwide IARC CancerBase No. 5. Version 1.0, IARCPress, Lyon,
2001
5. Strauss, GM. Lung Cancer Screening and Randomized Population Trials,
International
Conference on Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer,
Varese
,
Italy
Dec. 9, 10, 1998: 57-97.
(7/11/04)
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