A set of peer-reviewed articles share insights and experiences of cities as enablers of cancer care
Four years after beginning work in the first of nine cities, City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can) is keen to share its experience in LMICs with the global cancer care community. Based on real-world data, evidence and the lessons learned through a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, C/Can has accumulated a breadth of experience and insight into the importance of a multisectoral, localised approach to identifying trends in cancer care gaps and addressing them with sustainable, locally led solutions.
With this in mind, C/Can is publishing a commentary and two Special Articles In the JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO). In print and electronic format, JCO strives to publish the highest quality articles dedicated to clinical research and other work that relate to the care of patients with cancer. More articles will follow later in the year.
Cities as an Enabler for Strengthening Cancer Care
This commentary focuses on the role of cities as enablers of cancer diagnosis, treatment and care. The commentary provides an introduction to the C/Can model, and the rationale behind its creation in 2017 as a response to the slow progress made towards global targets for cancer treatment and care.
Authors:
- Susan Henshall, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Raul Doria, Centro Medico La Costa, Asunción, Paraguay
- Cary Adams, Union for International Cancer Control, Geneva, Switzerland
- Sanchia Aranda, School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia; City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland.
C/Can City Engagement Process: An Implementation Framework for Strengthening Cancer Care in Cities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The first Special Article details C/Can’s city engagement process. It outlines how C/Can has developed, tested and adapted a new framework that empowers local stakeholders to lead a city-wide process to identify, plan and execute cancer care solutions adapted to the local context. The article also shares the key challenges, enablers of success and lessons learned in C/Can’s first cities.
As the article notes, creating lasting change requires the creation of a high-trust environment to engage the right stakeholders as well as adapting to local context, leveraging local expertise, and fostering a sustainability mindset from the outset.
Authors:
- Silvina Frech, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Rebecca Morton Doherty, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Maria Cristina Lesmes, Gobernación de Valle del Cauca, Secretaria de Salud, Colombia
- Oscar Ramirez, Fundación Pohema and Centro Medico Imbanaco, Cali, Colombia
- Alicia Pomata, Programa Nacional de Control de Cáncer, Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de Paraguay, Asunción, Paraguay
- Angelica Samudio, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay
- Osei A. Antwi, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
- Yin Yin Htun, Shwe Yaung Hnin Si Cancer Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
- Rai Mra, Yangon Medical Association, Yangon, Myanmar
- Pe Thet Htoo,. Shwe Yaung Hnin Si Cancer Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
- Ernest Baawuah Osei-Bonsu, Oncology Directorate, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Rafaela Komorowski Dal Molin, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brasil
- Nana Mebonia, National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia and Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Isabel Mestres, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Aung Naing Soe, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Sophie Bussmann-Kemdjo, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Maria Fernanda Navarro, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Susan Henshall City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Rolando Camacho, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
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Strengthening Pathology Capacity to Deliver Quality Cancer Care in Cities in LMICs
The second Special Article paper looks at how C/Can has applied its model to contribute to strengthening pathology capacity in three cities: Cali, Colombia; Asuncion, Paraguay; and, Yangon, Myanmar. Together with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), C/Can worked with local experts to undertake an in-depth analysis of existing pathology services as part of a data-driven assessment process. Common needs were identified across the three cities and specific solutions were identified by local stakeholders and implemented with C/Can’s support.
Authors:
- Silvina Frech, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Luis Eduardo Bravo, Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali, Hospital Universitario del Valle, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
- Ingrid Rodríguez, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay
- Alicia Pomata, Programa Nacional de Control del Cáncer, Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Ministerio de Salud y Bienestar Social de Paraguay
- Khin Thida Aung, Department of Pathology, University of Medicine, Yangon, Myanmar
- Aung Naing Soe, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Beatriz Hornburg, Centro de Diagnósticos Anátomo-Patológicos, Joinville, Brazil
- Jeannette Guarner, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Jane Brock, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Rolando Camacho, City Cancer Challenge, Geneva, Switzerland
- Dan Milner, American Society for Clinical Pathology, Chicago, IL, USA
Watch out for further articles, which will be published in the coming months, including in the areas of radiotherapy and multidisciplinary care.
We take this opportunity to thank and recognise the contribution of the entire C/Can network of cities and partners, without which this work and the related articles would not have been possible. A special thanks to all the contributing authors
