Oral Presentation Cancer Survivorship Conference 2023

Outreach initiatives to support women and children with cancer in the Western Pacific (#19)

Claire Wakefield 1 2 , Gwenda Anga 3 , Tess Howard 1 , Karen Canfell 4 , Marion Saville 5 , Andrew Vallely 6 7 , Deborah Bateson 4 , Vanessa Price 6 , Paulus Ripa 8 , Jane Holden 8 , Boniface Damutalau 9 , Margaret Tarere 9 , Anne Stuart 10 , Michael Sullivan 11
  1. Minderoo Foundation, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. School of Clinical Medicine , UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW , Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Paediatric Department, Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea
  4. Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer , VIC, Victoria, Australia
  6. Kirby Institute UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR),, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  8. Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital and Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA),, Papua New Guinea
  9. Vila Central Hospital, Vanuatu
  10. Family Planning , NSW
  11. Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Background: In contrast to Australia and New Zealand, cancer survival rates for women and children in the Western Pacific region remain low, particularly in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). There is wide variability in cancer care/prevention models across the PICTs, with major challenges including significant resource limitations for cancer treatment, a lack of oncology-trained physicians, limited implementation of national cancer control plans, and in the case of childhood cancer, small numbers of child cancer patients in each individual PICT. There are multiple outreach initiatives underway aiming to address these challenges, including a focus on cervical and childhood cancer.

Method: With regard to cervical cancer, the Eliminate Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific Project (ECCWP) is a landmark collaboration funded by Minderoo Foundation and co-led by an expert team formed through the separate NHMRC-funded Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control (C4) and in-country partners including the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority and Vanuatu Ministry of Health. ECCWP aims to set Vanuatu and the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea on the pathway to cervical cancer elimination as defined by the World Health Organisation’s three-pronged approach of effective vaccination, screening, and treatment. With regard to childhood cancer, SIOP Oceania (the Oceania continental branch of the International Society for Paediatric Oncology) aims to support local capacity to deliver comprehensive care to children with cancer and their families across the Western Pacific.

Results: This presentation will share recent outcomes, challenges and barriers in delivery of these two key initiatives as they aim to improve outcomes for women and children affected by cancer across the Western Pacific.

Conclusion: At the global level, cervical cancer and children’s cancers are priority areas for the World Health Organisation, through the Global Strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer and the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Regional efforts to contribute to these global priorities are critical to ensure that the needs of women and children affected by cancer in the Western Pacific are met.