News Release

APLCC 2016 calls on Asian-Pacific governments to help reduce lung cancer deaths

Goal is to reduce lung cancer deaths by one-third by 2030

Peer-Reviewed Publication

International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND - The biennial Asia Pacific Lung Cancer Conference (APLCC 2016) was successfully organized in Chiang Mai, Thailand (13-15 May 2016) by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), Thai Society of Clinical Oncology (TSCO), Chiang Mai Lung Cancer Group and Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University (CMU). More than 870 participants from 26 countries with a wide range of expertise spanning prevention, treatment, research, and care and support fields actively participated in this regional meeting.

Follow-Up on Promise to Reduce NCD Deaths by 1/3rd by 2030

This was the first APLCC organized after governments of U.N.-member nations (including those in the Asian-Pacific region) had adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the U.N. General Assembly in September 2015. One of these goals is to reduce premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including lung cancer, by one-third by 2030.

"Lung cancer and other NCD-related SDGs can only be met by Asian-Pacific governments if we prevent the disease effectively, efficiently screen for the earliest possible diagnosis, and treat with the latest evidence-based therapies - saving lives from lung cancer is not a choice, it is a public health imperative," said Dr. Sumitra Thongprasert, Chair of APLCC 2016, Emeritus Professor at Chiang Mai University, and Senior Director (Oncology), Bangkok Chiang Mai Hospital in Thailand.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. "Undoubtedly lung cancer is a significant cause of loss of quality of life and premature death. Despite scientific advancements in lung cancer management, outcomes remain poor with less than 5 percent five-year survival," Dr. Thongprasert said.

Effective Tobacco Control Can Significantly Help Reduce Lung Cancer

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco smoking is the top risk factor for lung cancer, with 90 percent of cases attributed to tobacco use. The APLCC wants to push the message of the dangers of tobacco during the lead up to World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2016.

"Almost all countries in the Asian-Pacific region (barring Indonesia) have ratified the Global Tobacco Treaty (formally called the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control). Countries in the region must enforce the treaty and domestic tobacco control and health laws effectively, and not just for saving lives from lung cancer but also from a range of life-threatening diseases attributed to tobacco use. We also need to reduce exposure to other risk factors for lung cancer," Dr. Thongprasert added.

Affordable Healthcare for Everyone Must Become Reality

While committing to the 17 SDGs, governments also committed to making universal health coverage a reality by 2030. The SDG 3.8 commits governments to achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all by 2030.

"Affordable healthcare must become a reality for everyone, especially for those most in need. Early lung cancer diagnosis, and standard investigations and therapy as per the latest guidelines and research, will then be able to make a phenomenal difference in the lives of all people," Dr. Thongprasert concluded.

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For more information on IASLC Asia Pacific Lung Cancer Conference, please visit:

Website: http://www.aplcc2016.com | Twitter: @APLCC2016 | Facebook.com/APLCC2016

For more information on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, please visit: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/.

About the IASLC:

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes more than 5,000 lung cancer specialists in over 100 countries. Visit http://www.iaslc.org for more information.

About the TSCO:

The Thai Society of Clinical Oncology's (TSCO) primary goals are to educate medical oncologist through major cancer centers in university hospitals and improve the treatment and prevention of cancer. In addition to advancing education of medical oncology, TSCO provides education for other disciplines to advance the quality of cancer care in Thailand.

About Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University:

Since its founding in 1967, the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University has grown continuously. Now the largest medical school in northern Thailand, it operates the largest and most comprehensive hospital in the region.

(This article was written jointly by Shobha Shukla and Bobby Ramakant of CNS (Citizen News Service) and edited by IASLC. CNS is a media partner of APLCC 2016. Follow CNS on http://www.citizen-news.org Twitter: @CNS_Health, Facebook.com/CNS.page and YouTube.com/c/CitizenNewsOrgCNS)


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