By: Chargé d’Affaires Andrew J. Schofer.
Last Friday, members of the international community came together for an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) World Cancer Day event. It was truly impressive to hear about work being done around the world to support cancer diagnosis, treatment, and control. Cancer impacts all of us, but sadly not everyone has the same opportunity to access radiotherapy treatment. We applaud the IAEA’s efforts to reduce the disparity in access and treatment levels between high-income and low- to middle-income countries.

In total, it has been our pleasure to have given a total of about $6.5 million through the Peaceful Uses Initiative to support IAEA projects that advance cancer control efforts. Our National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health is in the process of applying to be an IAEA “Collaborating Center” for cancer control and radiation research. We strongly support this initiative, as it will help us work more closely with the international community on matters including training, quality control, country-level cancer control plans, impact assessments, and joint research programs.
While World Cancer day is one day a year, we remain dedicated to supporting the fight against cancer year-round. #CancerCare4All
