World Cancer Day | Esophageal Cancer in Tanzania

Global Cancer Program Newsletter:

World Cancer Day Highlight

#CloseTheCareGap on World Cancer Day

Today, February 4, people all around the globe speak up, stand up, and take action on World Cancer Day. Hosted by the Union for International Cancer Control, this annual initiative aims to raise worldwide awareness, improve education and catalyze personal, collective, and government action. World Cancer Day calls each of us to take action in our own areas to advance the world to where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equal for all.

This year, World Cancer Day kicks off the ‘Close the Care Gap’ campaign to understand and recognize the inequities in cancer care around the globe. For the UCSF Global Cancer Program, this movement squarely aligns with our mission to reduce inequities in the global cancer burden. Approximately 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where lack of infrastructure, limited access to treatment, and shortages of healthcare providers contribute to poor outcomes. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. No matter who we are or where we live, we all deserve access to accurate information on cancer and quality care services in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support.

How is the UCSF Global Cancer Program addressing disparities and closing the care gap?

From training the first cohort of pediatric oncologists in Vietnam to establishing a cancer research training program in Tanzania, we are working with our international partners to strengthen the workforce and build up leaders in cancer care and research. We are conducting research to better understand why cancer is found in certain populations, such as exploring the high incidence of esophageal cancer in eastern Africa as well as early onset colorectal cancer in Latinx populations. We are evaluating novel approaches to expand access to care, including diagnostics for breast cancer and point-of-care HPV screening for cervical and anal cancers. And more!

Join us on this World Cancer Day as we acknowledge the existing disparities in cancer care and take action to change it! Learn more about how the Global Cancer Program is #CloseTheCareGap by checking out our website and keep an eye on social media as the Global Cancer Program takes over the HDFCCC Twitter account today!

There are many more ways to get involved on World Cancer Day! Take a look:

https://www.worldcancerday.org/take-action

About the Theme: #CloseTheCareGap

What is "The Care Gap"?

The first year of the ‘Close the Care Gap’ campaign is about understanding and

recognizing the inequities in global cancer care. What do we know?

• Inequity in cancer care costs lives.

• People who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn.

• Income, education, location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care.

• The gap affects everyone, including you and your loved ones.

• These barriers are not set in stone. They can be changed.

This is the year to question the status quo and help reduce stigma; to listen to the perspectives of the people living with cancer and their communities and let those lived experiences guide our thoughts and actions.

That’s how we can begin to imagine a better way of doing things and to build a fairer vision of the future—a future where people live healthier lives and have better access to health and cancer services, no matter where they are born, grow, age, work, or live.

This World Cancer Day, what will you learn about the gaps in cancer care? Learn more here.

Global Cancer Program on Closing the Gap

Dr. Priscilla Espinosa Tamez,

PhD Candidate and UCSF Global Cancer Fellow

"Cancer burden is affecting communities in different magnitudes around the world. If we fail to recognize and eradicate the inequities in cancer in our research and practice, our efforts to decrease its burden will actually increase the cancer care gap for underserved communities. As researchers, we need to challenge our assumptions and identify and address barriers at all levels so that all communities have better access to cancer care."

(Left to right, Kwinoja Kapiteni, Sumaiya Haddadi, Dr. Beatrice Mushi, Dr. Msiba Selekwa, Dr. Zainab Illonga, not pictured: Dr. Sarah Nyagabona, Dr. Elia Mmbaga)

The MUHAS-ORCI-UCSF Cancer Collaboration Team

"Empower now, protect the future"

“One world, one enemy, we leave no one behind”

“Screen more to treat less”

“Capacitate the system, provide support, and share hope with the fighters”

Dr. Michelle Hermiston, Associate Director

"Our partnership in Vietnam is focused on pediatric cancers. Leukemia is the most common cancer of childhood. In resource rich countries, over 90% of children are cured with standard drugs available on the World Health Organization list of essential oncology medications.

However, in low and middle income countries, where over 80% of children with cancer live globally, cure rates range from 10-50% for children with leukemia.

Because children do not choose where in the world they are born, we are committed to closing this gap and improving outcomes for these children through education, innovative research, and partnership in Vietnam and globally. "

Consider a donation today!

Featured Publication

Risk Factors Associated With Early-Onset Esophageal Cancer in Tanzania

Eastern Africa is one of several regions affected by high incidence rates of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A unique epidemiologic feature of ESCC in Eastern Africa is the high incidence in young people, with one-third of cases diagnosed at age < 45 years. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for early-onset ESCC in Tanzania through a secondary analysis of a matched case-control study.

Risk Factors Associated With Early-Onset Esophageal Cancer in Tanzania

Geoffrey C. Buckle, Elia J. Mmbaga, Alan Paciorek, Larry Akoko, Katrina Deardorff, William Mgisha, Beatrice P. Mushi, Julius Mwaiselage, Robert A. Hiatt, Li Zhang, and Katherine Van Loon

JCO Global Oncology 2022 :8