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Global Variations in the Level of Cancer-Related Research Activity and Correlation to Cancer-Specific Mortality: Proposal for a Global Curriculum

  • Health Services Research and Global Oncology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to analyze global variations in the level of cancer-related research activity and correlate this with cancer-specific mortality.

Methods

The SCOPUS database was explored to obtain data relating to the number of cancer-related publications per country. Cancer-specific mortality rates were obtained from the World Health Organization. Global variations in the level of scholarly activity were analyzed and correlated with variations in cancer-specific mortality.

Results

Data for 142 countries were obtained and significant variations in the level of research activity was noted. The level of research activity increased with rising socio-economic status. The United States was the most prolific country with 222,300 publications followed by Japan and Germany. Several countries in different regions of the world had a low level of research activity. An inverse relationship between the level of research activity and cancer-specific mortality was noted. This relationship persisted even in countries with a low level of research activity. The socioeconomic status of a nation and geographic location (continent) had a mixed influence with an overall apparent correlation with cancer-related research activity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates significant global variation in the level of cancer-related research activity and a correlation with cancer-specific mortality. The presence of a minimum set of standards for research literacy, as proposed by the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the Society of Surgical Oncology may contribute to enhanced research activity and improve outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.

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Disclosure

The authors have no conflicts to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Surgical Oncology, Surgical Oncology & Global Health, Graduate Medical Education (DIO), Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    C. Are MD, MBA, FRCS, FACS

  2. University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA

    A. Caniglia & Malik Mohammed

  3. Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    L. Smith Ph.D

  4. Society of Surgical Oncology, Rosemont, IL, USA

    Charmaine Cummings

  5. European Society of Surgical Oncology, Brussels, Belgium

    Carine Lecoq

  6. Surgical Education and Faculty Development, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    R. Berman MD, FACS

  7. University of Liverpool, St Helens Teaching Hospital, St Helens, United Kingdom

    R. Audisio MD, FACS, PhD(Hon)

  8. Education and Training Committee of European Society of Surgical Oncology, British Association of Surgical Oncology, University of Sheffield, Jasmine Centre, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom

    L. Wyld B.Med.Sci.MB.ChB (hons), PhD, FRCS

Authors
  1. C. Are MD, MBA, FRCS, FACS
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  2. A. Caniglia
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  3. Malik Mohammed
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  4. L. Smith Ph.D
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  5. Charmaine Cummings
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  6. Carine Lecoq
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  7. R. Berman MD, FACS
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  8. R. Audisio MD, FACS, PhD(Hon)
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  9. L. Wyld B.Med.Sci.MB.ChB (hons), PhD, FRCS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Are MD, MBA, FRCS, FACS.

Additional information

This article was approved by the Executive Council of the Society of Surgical Oncology and the European Society of Surgical Oncology in March 2017 for simultaneous publication in the Annals of Surgical Oncology and the European Journal of Surgical Oncology.

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Are, C., Caniglia, A., Mohammed, M. et al. Global Variations in the Level of Cancer-Related Research Activity and Correlation to Cancer-Specific Mortality: Proposal for a Global Curriculum. Ann Surg Oncol 25, 594–603 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-017-6276-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-017-6276-6

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