The momentum
continues as experts around the world gather to advance cancer care
SINGAPORE - - 22 November
2017 - The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the leading professional organisation for
medical oncology, has successfully concluded the ESMO Asia 2017 Congress in
Singapore.
Since its
inauguration in 2015, ESMO Asia Congress has garnered attention and significant
interest from cancer experts and researchers not only in Asia but around the
world. This year, the Congress is endorsed by twenty-one oncology societies
across Asia and has attracted close to 3000 participants. Year-on-year, ESMO
Asia has received positive feedback from its attendees and this year is no
exception.
Dr GAN Kim
Yong, Singapore Minister of Health, addressed ESMO attendees at the Opening
Session stressing the importance of prevention and early detection in
mitigating the impact of cancer. "Early detection of cancer allows for timely
treatment and a better prognosis. Healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate
cancer screening play an important role in cancer prevention." He also reminded
the audience that collaborations drive cancer research and cancer research is
the foundation for the enhancement of disease management.
According to ESMO
President, Professor Fortunato Ciardiello, "The ESMO Asia 2017 Congress was yet
another success, and we are pleased to see the new developments and advancement
in cancer research, treatment options, and that best clinical practices are
being shared among the medical community here at ESMO. ESMO is about people. We
are here to facilitate knowledge exchange among medical oncologists and
healthcare professionals so that one day, we can conquer the battle with
cancer. We will continue to work closely with all our partners in the region to
further develop the ESMO Asia Congress, to build on this influential platform,
inspire further cancer research, and propel integrated cancer care."
One of ESMO's for the
year 2020 is to bridge cancer prevention, research, early-diagnosis, and treatment to
improve patient outcomes, and the ESMO Asia 2017 Congress lived up to that
vision. In addition
to discussing current clinical challenges and novel treatment strategies, this
year the Congress also sees focus on cancer supportive care and associated cultural
issues. Numerous abstracts and studies on the use of liquid
biopsy and how circulating tumour DNA can help monitor disease and provide
guidance for treatment decision-making were also presented.
A survey was conducted this year by ESMO to understand
the current knowledge of biosimilars among oncology professionals. The majority
of survey participants indicated that they have average knowledge of
biosimilars and more than half of those in Asia use biosimilars routinely in
their clinical practice. It is therefore ESMO's mission to provide medical oncologists
education on biosimilars, as it is another vision of ESMO to better equip
medical oncologists for the fast-changing cancer field with specialised
education. In fact, ESMO has already produced a on the use of
biosimilars to support medical oncologists with the subject.
The Society recognizes that progress in cancer
treatment and management is not meaningful unless there is sustainable cancer
care. Hence, ESMO is committed to advocating for equal access to quality
treatment for all patients, wherever they live. A study revealing the was published. "By
showing the cost and availability, as well as the various barriers to access of
new and essential cancer medicines, we hope to facilitate conversations among
key stakeholders in the region so that not only patients in high-income
countries can gain access to these cancer treatments but patients in low to
middle income countries can also benefit from them," said Professor Ciardiello.
Dr
Ravindran Kanesvaran from the host society, Singapore Society of Oncology, reinforced
the importance of the ESMO Asia Congress: "Asia has 60% of the world's
population and accounts for half of the global cancer burden. Increasingly we
are seeing variation in the mutation status of Asian cancer patients as
compared to those in the rest of the world. An influential platform that brings
together the leaders and experts in the field of oncology around the world is
very much needed in Asia. ESMO is exactly that. New knowledge and insights
empower us to provide the highest-quality patient care. We look forward to more
exchange and learning in next year's ESMO Asia Congress."
The
following press releases were shared during the ESMO Asia 2017 Congress. More
information and photos are available from the ESMO website
1. More care is needed for cancer supportive care
Over a quarter of cancer survivors across ten countries in Asia Pacific experienced a poor quality of life post-treatment. In addition, significant level of unmet needs was found among the survivors in eight out of the 10 surveyed countries.
Full release
2. ALEX study shows alectinib 600 mg more effective than crizotinib in Asian lung cancer patients
A subanalysis of the phase III ALEX study has shown that alectinib 600 mg twice daily is more effective than standard of care crizotinib in Asian patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Full release
3. Study analyses mutations in cerebrospinal fluid in lung cancer with brain metastases
Researchers have begun exploring the use of the liquid biopsy approach to analyse mutations in cerebrospinal fluid in lung cancer patients with brain metastases.
Full release
4. Mainstreaming genetic counselling for ovarian cancer could support screening in Malaysia and beyond
The preliminary results of the MaGiC study show that most patients counselled by a well-trained but not necessarily an expert in genetics were satisfied or just as satisfied with their experience as compared to those being counselled by a genetic counsellor or clinical geneticist.
Full release
5. Only one in five Indonesian women are aware of cervical cancer screening
Just one in five Indonesian women are aware of cervical cancer screening, and just one in twenty Indonesian women are aware of mammography for early detection of breast cancer.
Full release
6. Study finds all Myanmar mouth cancer patients chew betel quid
A study in Myanmar has shown that betel quid chewing has a high correlation to head and neck cancer. Interesting to note that this lifestyle behavior is also prevalent in countries like India, Malaysia and Taiwan.
Full release
7. Osimertinib improves progression-free survival in Asian EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients
Osimertinib improves progression-free survival compared to standard first line therapy in Asian patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) -- according to the Asian subset analysis of the FLAURA trial.
Full release
8. Study shows new second line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer is effective and safe
A new, modified second line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer is as effective and safe as FOLFIRI, with or without bevacizimab.
Full release
9. Global analysis looks at policy gaps and how to advance breast cancer control in Asia
Education conducted by civil society can play an important role in filling breast cancer policy gaps and advancing cancer control in Asia.
Full release
About ESMO
ESMO is the leading European
professional organization for medical oncology. Comprising 17,000 oncology
professionals from 150 countries worldwide, we are the society of reference for
oncology education and information. We are committed to supporting our members
to develop and advance in a fast-evolving professional environment.
Founded in 1975, ESMO has European
roots with a global reach: we welcome oncology professionals from around the
world. We are a home for all oncology stakeholders, connecting professionals
with diverse expertise and experience, and speaking with one voice for our
discipline. Our education and information resources support an integrated
multi-professional approach to cancer care, from a medical oncology
perspective.
For more information, visit
Cherny N, Sullivan R,
Torode J, Saar M, Eniu A. ESMO International Consortium Study on the
availability, out-of-pocket costs and accessibility of antineoplastic medicines
in countries outside of Europe. Annals
of Oncology , Volume 28, Issue 11, 1
November 2017, Pages 2633--2647,