"The World Summit Against Cancer is a forceful way of drawing attention to cancer as a global public health problem that will - unless we continue our major investment in scientific discovery and cancer care - become a scourge of the new century," said Richard D. Klausner, M.D., director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
The preamble of the 10 articles of The Charter of Paris Against Cancer requires that signatories commit to the principles and practices outlined in the historic document. Each article focuses on a particular element of cancer prevention, treatment or care including protecting patient rights, increasing the commitment to basic and clinical research, improving access to clinical trials, prevention and screening initiatives and addressing patients' quality of life issues.
"Patient involvement and advocacy is a necessary component to the eradication of cancer. Cancer survivors and advocates bring a unique and important perspective to the fight against cancer and must be involved in all levels of decision-making related to cancer research, care, and public policy," said Fran Visco, president of the U.S. National Breast Cancer Coalition.
Arguably the most important section of The Charter of Paris is article ten, which maps out the sustaining activities and explains how signatories of The Charter will go forward as global partners and allies against cancer.
"All of us signing The Charter today are pledging in good faith to do all that is in our power to fight and prevent cancer," said John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
He explained that working groups for each of The Charter articles will be formed and, using this year as a benchmark, will report back to the international cancer community on progress made against each of the articles on an annual basis.
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Contact: Laurie Miller
Lmiller@porternovelli.com
212-601-8359
Porter Novelli
3-Feb-2000