Quad Nations Launch Initiative to Combat Cervical Cancer in the Indo-Pacific Region
TL/DR –
The United States, Australia, India, and Japan have launched the Quad Cancer Moonshot, an initiative aimed at ending cancer as we know it, starting with cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific. This will be done by improving health infrastructure, expanding research collaborations, building data systems, providing greater support for cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and care. The initiative will also address healthcare access challenges, limited resources, and disparities in vaccination rates in the region by promoting HPV vaccination, increasing access to screenings, and expanding treatment options and care in underserved areas.
Quad countries launch Cancer Moonshot to tackle cervical cancer in Indo-Pacific
The US, Australia, India, and Japan have begun a joint initiative to combat cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific with the launch of the Quad Cancer Moonshot. As a major health crisis in the region, this preventable disease will be the first cancer type targeted in a broader regional health campaign announced at the Quad Leaders Summit.
Enhancing cancer care infrastructure with Quad Cancer Moonshot
The Quad Cancer Moonshot is set to strengthen the cancer care ecosystem in the region by improving health infrastructure, expanding research collaborations, enhancing data systems, and expanding support for cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and care. Cervical cancer, despite its preventability through vaccination and potential for successful treatment with early detection, is the third leading cause of cancer death among women in the Indo-Pacific. Less than one in 10 women in the region complete the necessary HPV vaccination series and fewer than 10% have received recent screening. This initiative seeks to promote HPV vaccination, improve access to screenings, and expand treatment options in underserved regions.
Contributions from Quad countries and non-government partners
Quad countries announced a series of commitments from their governments and non-government contributors to strengthen the fight against cervical cancer. These include pledges from the US to Gavi for HPV vaccines totalling at least $1.58 billion over five years, collaborations with United Nations agencies for large-scale HPV diagnostics purchase, and partnerships with Australia’s Royal North Shore Hospital and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for clinical trials on precision oncology and liquid biopsy technologies.
NGO partnerships crucial for initiative success
Collaborations with private and non-profit organizations are deemed paramount for the success of this initiative, with collective innovation, resources, and commitment advancing progress against cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. Key actions from non-government contributors include the World Bank’s $400 million commitment in global HPV-related investments over the next three years, the Serum Institute of India’s procurement of up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses for distribution in the region, and the American Cancer Society’s increased support for civil society organizations globally.
Focus on improving cancer care delivery, increasing cancer research capacity, and raising cancer awareness
Efforts are underway to improve cancer care delivery, increase capacity for cancer research, infrastructure, and training, and raise cancer awareness to empower individuals in the region. Among these commitments are the expansion of cervical cancer research, training, and education programs to the Indo-Pacific by MD Anderson; the Hologic’s work with government agencies and health care providers in the region to educate and raise awareness about cervical cancer; and the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer’s promotion of HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and early treatment projects.
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