5 minute read
for Ukrainian patients
The Cancer Community Rallies for Ukrainian Patients
ECO Communication Team
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European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
Professor Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and Co-chair of the Special Network on Ukraine Dr. Eric Winer, President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Co-chair of the Special Network on Ukraine Richard Sullivan, MD, PhD, Director of the Institute of Cancer Policy at King’s College, London, UK, and Key Advisor to the Special Network on Ukraine
In a country engulfed in so much death and destruction, it can be easy to forget the unique challenges faced by cancer patients in Ukraine .
Russia’s unprovoked and indiscriminate attacks have not only left many of these patients homeless, they have destroyed clinics and hospitals that provide essential cancer care .
“We realise that everyone in Ukraine is struggling to survive this horror,” said Prof . Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) . “But cancer patients face an inescapable truth: their disease will not wait for the shelling to stop . They need treatment now . ”
The Special Network on the Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer So, with a palpable sense of urgency, ECO with other cancer and health focused international societies banded together to create the Special Network on the Impact of War in Ukraine on Cancer .
“The ECO Board of Directors took this initiative just a week-and-a-half after the invasion began,” said Prof . Charalambous, a Co-chair of the Special Network . “We were unanimous . This is the priority of a lifetime in oncology . ”
ECO teamed up with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Commission to share intelligence and launch advocacy efforts . Today, the network includes representatives from more than 300 ➤
Prof Andreas Charalambous, President, European Cancer Organisation
cancer organisations around the world, including inspirational patient organisations, many from within ECO’s Patient Advisory Committee, who have acted with the immediacy needed to identify vulnerable groups on the ground and direct them to the safety, support, and treatment they deserve .
While governmental institutions may have the resources, it is the patient organisations working in partnership that help inform exactly which, where, and when resources are needed . With this bottom-up approach, it is accurate to say that patient organisations have been, and continue to be, a guiding light during this crisis .
“Almost immediately our ECO partners saw a need for a coordinated response and approached ASCO to be a part of the solution, and we’re grateful that they did,” said Dr . Eric Winer, President of ASCO and a Co-chair of the Special Network . “The humanitarian crisis from the war in Ukraine, even within just the cancer space, is large, complex, dynamic, and multifaceted . This clearly requires a multifaceted response . . . and just as important, this multifaceted response needs open communication and coordination, and a sharing of intel of what is happening and what is needed . Bringing groups together and helping to coordinate their efforts – that is the role of the Special Network .
The role of the Special Network The network’s most visible contribution has been the creation of the patient website, www .onco-help .org . Here, Ukrainian cancer patients can discover an array of specific resources for those remaining in Ukraine or fleeing to any of 30 other European countries . More country categories and related content continue to be added to the website .
In multiple languages, the website identifies which cancer centres are offering which treatments (with contacts and locations), and which medical protocols should be continued inside Ukraine and which ones can be easily administered elsewhere . There are separate sections on paediatric oncology facilities, general medical services, and psycho-social support . The goal is to link those who need help with those who want to help . Ukraine, Poland, and Germany are currently the most accessed country pages .
According to the WHO, most Ukrainian cancer patients currently undergoing active cancer treatment are still in Ukraine, and the Special Network is working to identify the specific resource needs of those centres, especially medications and surgical supply shortages . Of the Ukrainian patients being treated outside of Ukraine, the network is gathering data on capacity issues .
Detailed information gathering is crucial The information being collected and collated by the network is an intelligence lifeline for the WHO and the European Union, according to Richard Sullivan, MD, PhD, Director of the Institute of Cancer Policy at King’s College, London, and Key Advisor to the Special Network .
“By reason of politics, size and/or legislation,” he said, “government and UN agencies have always had three major issues: the speed in which they could react, the distance from ground reality, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations . This requires a mid-level network to effectively interface with both the ground and with high politics, which is where the Special Network has fitted in . ”
Looking to the future It is a role the Special Network may be playing well into the future . At the time of writing this article (4 July 2022), the WHO says Russia’s invasion has already resulted in over eight million refugees fleeing to other countries, over six million internally displaced people, and 323 attacks on health care .
“Even if the war were to stop tomorrow,” said Prof . Charalambous, “it would take a year or two, at least, to rebuild cancer care there .”
For the European Cancer Organisation, the message is clear: everything humanly possible must be done to ensure Ukrainian patients can get appropriate cancer treatment where needed, when needed . n
Dr Eric Winer, ASCO President
Richard Sullivan, Director, Institute of Cancer Policy Any organisation wishing to join the Special Network should send an email to ukraine@europeancancer.org. Efforts to promote the website www.oncohelp.org would be greatly appreciated.
