Why Attend?
Full Overview
The increasing burden of cancer represents a substantial problem for Latin America. Cancer incidence across the region is consistent with global trends, with an estimated 40% rise in the number of cases expected by 2030. Meanwhile, challenges in cancer care exist along the continuum, and finance presents a particular problem as the burden continues to grow.
New targeted immunotherapies that harness the power of the immune system to attack cancer cells offer major improvements in patient outcomes across multiple types of cancer. Moreover, vaccines can prevent some cancers. For example, HPV vaccination has proven to be an effective strategy in prevention of cervical and other types of cancer; the percentage of cervical precancers caused by HPV most often linked to cervical cancer have dropped by 40% among vaccinated women in the United States. In 2018, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Directing Council endorsed a LATAM regional plan of action for cervical cancer prevention and control to reduce incidence and mortality rates by 30% by 2030. Ensuring access to these vital innovations and tools will require significant investment. A supportive policy environment will be needed to enable the inclusion of and resourcing for: vaccines as prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and timely access to innovative treatments.
This Financial Times webinar, in partnership with MSD, brought together policy makers, thought leaders, patient advocates and other key stakeholders from across Latin America for an in-depth discussion around sustainable financing along the cancer continuum - from prevention to diagnostics and screening through to treatment - with a specific focus on vaccines as a tool for prevention and how to finance and provide timely access to innovative treatments.
Topics for discussion included:
Prioritization: To what extent has cancer care been prioritized in Latin America? What are the barriers to and strategies for ensuring prioritization for cancer, including adequate funding to support broad patient access to cancer prevention and treatment? What role do economists/researchers, industry, health care providers, and patient advocates play in this prioritization process?
Investment case: What is needed to build the case for investment along the cancer control continuum from prevention to diagnosis, treatment and survival? In particular, what is needed to convince governments to invest in broader access to innovative tools for cancer prevention and treatment?
Policy framework: What policy frameworks could create an enabling policy environment for cancer prevention, screening/diagnosis, treatment, and care in Latin America? What are the experiences and insights from countries in the region that have National Cancer Control Plans or Cancer Laws, particularly those that include funding? How were arguments in favour enhanced resource allocation for prevention (including vaccination) and timely access to treatment for cancer won?
Intersectoral collaboration: What partnerships and alliances are needed to drive increased investment in cancer prevention and treatment in Latin America?
Summary
Latin America scores poorly against other regions in terms of cancer control. For instance, in terms of 5-year survivorship, Latin America scores from 50%-75% for childhood cancers compared to 90% in North America.
The challenges in Latin America are many – from Laws and regulations being passed but then not implemented or properly resourced, and access to innovative medicines being available to only those who can afford private health insurance. Stigma associated with the disease also results in patients presenting at stage 3 and stage 4.
In terms of solutions, big investment in data – for instance in creating disease registries is needed to produce evidence for more effective decision making. Local solutions are needed for local problems. Community partnerships also play an important role.
Strategic public-private -partnerships will also be critical, as well as innovative financing that rewards outcomes based on improvements in access, care and survival.
Health care systems are hugely fragmented- leading to duplication of effort, a lack of coordination and inefficiencies. Where success and innovation exists in tacking cancer, this tends to happen in countries with unitary political systems. Hence innovations have emerged in Chile, Costa Rica, Uruguay. In larger countries with federated structures, the challenges are greater.
Political will and continuity play a key role. Often the prioritisation of cancer plans are too dependent on individuals within governments, and are deprioritised as governments change.
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