The Role of International Organizations on Collaboration for Global Pediatric Cancer Control

Abstract

The treatment of childhood cancer is an oncology success story—survival rates have increased dramatically from 25 % for those treated in the 1960s to 80 % for those treated during the current millennium. The big remaining problem is the issue of equity of access to diagnosis, treatment, and care of children with cancer around the globe. The 5-year relative survival rates, a usual comparative measure, while at 80–90 % depending on the cancer in question in high-income settings plummet to 10–20 % in some low- and middle-income countries, with many children dying without being diagnosed at all. This disparity cannot be permitted to continue. Urgent action at global level with a high level of international collaboration is key to uniting nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international governmental organizations, cancer health care organizations, cooperative research organizations, and patient and family organizations in a concerted effort for true impact. There are lessons to be learned from current collaborative efforts to address childhood cancer and similar initiatives in child and adolescent health. A well-orchestrated global health partnership, with each of the partners having a defined role, has the potential to harness the expertise and proven tools we have now to close the divide in access to diagnosis, treatment, and care to make a significant contribution to the fight against pediatric cancer.