BACKGROUND TO THE WORLD CANCER DECLARATION 2013
Why Update the World Cancer Declaration?
What’s new in the World Cancer Declaration 2013?
Originally launched in 2006, the World Cancer Declaration (the Declaration) has helped to bring the growing cancer crisis to the attention of government leaders and health policy-makers, and to drive new government commitments in the global fight against cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The language used in the Declaration has been updated to reflect current discourse in the public health and development arenas. Other specific changes to the Declaration include:
In 2011, heads of state and governments adopted the United Nations Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs, which recognised NCDs as a global health and development priority. Success followed in 2012 with the adoption of a global target to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025. In 2013, the foundations of a new global NCD architecture were put in place with the adoption of a Global Monitoring Framework for NCDs (GMF), a Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020 (GAP), and a Global Coordination Mechanism for NCDs. In light of these groundbreaking developments in the fight against NCDs, and with the expiration of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) fast approaching, UICC saw a growing need to more closely align the Declaration with the emerging global NCD framework and the dialogue on the post-2015 development agenda.
“The IPOS Board applauds the inclusion of distress management in Target 8 of the refreshed World Cancer Declaration and the enhanced emphasis on people-centred care, multi-disciplinary treatment, patient self-determination and preventive action.” Barry D Bultz PhD, Jeff Dunn PhD, Jimmie C. Holland MD, Maggie Watson PhD, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
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The timeframe for achievement of the Declaration targets has been shifted from 2020 to 2025 to align with the GMF. Governments have already committed to take action to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025; we believe the advocacy and programmatic efforts of the cancer community will be more powerful if we work to the same timeline.
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We now have 9 rather than 11 Declaration targets. The 9 Declaration targets contribute to the achievement of an overarching goal to reduce premature deaths from cancer, and improve quality of life and cancer survival rates.
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The original Declaration had two targets related to human resources for cancer prevention and control; these have been merged into one target to acknowledge the need for a comprehensive approach reflecting the linkages between training and education, and the challenges associated with the emigration of healthcare professionals.
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Target 3 which relates to cancer risk factors, has been expanded to cover the known cancer risk factors which are common to NCDs including tobacco consumption, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, alcohol intake, and physical inactivity. A new addition is the specific reference to UV radiation and exposure to asbestos made in the Declaration list of immediate actions.
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The text of the Declaration targets (specifically Targets 1 and 7), and list of immediate actions have been enhanced to acknowledge the importance of the quality of cancer care and emphasise the principles of equitable access to effective, safe patient-centred services.
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The text of the Declaration targets (specifically Targets 7 and 8), and list of immediate actions have been enhanced to acknowledge the impact of distress among cancer patients, their family members and carers, and highlight the need for improved psychosocial and supportive care.