My recent posts are about the trouble of defining "rare cancers." The attention these cancers are now getting gives Healthy Survivors many reasons for hope.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH: The European Society for Medical Oncology (EMSO) convenes an annual multidisciplinary Congress for patients, caregivers, oncologists, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and policy makers.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL VISION: According to a recent article in Oncology Times, "The call to action deals with more than merely developing effective treatments; there are economic, social and political implications involving the unique structure of the European Union and its relationship with its various member nations."
CALL TO ACTION: The executive committee of EMSO launched a campaign entitled European Action Against Rare Cancer (EAARC; www.rarecancers.eu) Robert Schaefer, EAARC senior project manager, cites the goal of EAARC as implemeting 39 political recommendations that fall under three categories of recommendations:
- Improving the methodology of clinical studies
- Improving the organization of health care of rare cancers through collaborative networks
- improving patients' access to both experts and new therapies
My hope is that these changes, prompted by special concerns about rare cancers, will end up helping all patients with cancer.
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