Presentation delivered at Forum on Innovations and Actions Against Non-Communicable Diseases (IAAN), Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines, 18 July 2018

1. Situation of Cancer in Asia and the Role of
the IAEA in Supporting Cancer Control in
Low and Middle Income Countries
Anja Nitzsche
Head of Resource Mobilisation
IAEA, Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy
Forum on Innovations and Actions Against Non-Communicable
Diseases (IAAN), Asian Development Bank
Investing on the NCD Best Buys -Cancer Parallel Workshop
Manila, 18 July 2018

2. The Agency shall seek to accelerate and enlarge the
contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and
prosperity throughout the world.
Article II, IAEA Statute

3. The unique role of the IAEA
in comprehensive cancer control
EARLY
DETECTION
DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
PALLIATIVE
CARE
PREVENTION
RADIATION
MEDICINE FOR
CANCER
MANAGEMENT
SURVEILLANCE
DIAGNOSTIC
IMAGING
NUCLEAR
MEDICINE
RADIOTHERAPY
3

4. Areas of support
Capacity building for
sustainable impact
Transferring science into practiceMaking technology available to
address development challenges
Resource mobilisation for
cancer control priorities
Quality assurance for
protection of patients
and health workers

5. A growing global health & development issue:
Asia and the Pacific
People developing cancer
in Asia & the Pacific
Source: GLOBOCAN 2012

6. A growing global health & development issue:
Asia and the Pacific
Annual cancer deaths in
Asia & the Pacific
Source: GLOBOCAN 2012

7. Inequity in Access to Cancer Care
(Example of radiotherapy)
25 countries with
radiotherapy
coverage below
50%
12 countries
without
appropriate
radiotherapy
services
Nearly 3,900
radiotherapy
machines needed
Source: GLOBOCAN 2012, IAEA 2016

8. Clinical Oncology 2017 29, 84-92DOI: (10.1016/j.clon.2016.11.011)
Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists
Defining the need – Additional investment required
to provide full access to RT

9. AFRICA
€90 million
EUROPE
€76 million
LATIN AMERICA
€75 million
ASIA and the
PACIFIC
€68 million
INTERREGIONAL
€10 million
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
€319 million
IAEA Expenditure on Cancer-related Projects
(1980-2017)

10. IAEA support to Member States: 2017
Training and expert missions
• 475 fellowships and scientific visits in 2017
– Prevention and control of cancer, radiation oncology in
cancer management, nuclear medicine and diagnostic
imaging, and safe provision of radiation services.
Ongoing support activities
• Over 200 active projects for cancer and diagnosis
• Support to the national cancer projects
– dosimetry, radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine,
cancer research (inc. paediatric cancer and nutrition of
cancer patients [planned]).
• Assessment and policy support

11. imPACT: Assessing national cancer control capacities
92 imPACT missions since 2005
2018 (to July): Afghanistan
Indonesia
Ukraine

12. Regional highlights – Asia and Pacific
• 137 medical professionals from 17 countries over 5 years trained
on 3D radiotherapy and the establishment of comprehensive
quality assurance programmes.
• Nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging in Sri Lanka
• Distance Assisted Training programme for Nuclear Medicine
Professionals
• Developing national multi-disciplinary cancer control capacities in
countries including Sri Lanka and Vietnam
• Mongolia Radiation oncology and medical physics infrastructure
and services assessed, radiotherapy treatment planning system
upgraded and equipment provided
• Pakistan A centre’s facilities from 2D to 3D conformal
radiotherapy upgraded.
• Cambodia Supporting establishment of first National Cancer
Centre

13. Partnerships in health (Asia/Pacific)
13

14. IAEA partnership with OIC & IsDB
• 2012: High-level seminar with OIC and IsDB in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia
• 2013: Consultative cooperation meeting with IAEA, OIC, IsDB
and common Member States in Vienna
• 2016: Istanbul Declaration, Special Session of the First Ladies’
Leadership in Cancer Control held during the 13th OIC Summit
in Turkey
• Signature of Practical Arrangement: IAEA, OIC, IsDB to support
MS in fundraising efforts and provide expert assistance to
address the growing cancer burden
• 2017: Meeting to Review Funding Gaps and Mobilize Resources
for the Implementation of Priority Interventions in National
Cancer Control Programmes of Common MS, Sudan
US$ 248 m grants and loans from IsDB to
IAEA Member States, since 2013.

15. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

16. Thank you
cancer.iaea.org #CancerCare4All