U.S. Supports #CancerCare4All | U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna

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.

One of IAEA PACT’s posters, demonstrating the disparity in cancer survival rates based on varying access to treatment due to geographic location. [Image courtesy of IAEA PACT]

The United States is pleased to provide strong support over the years for the IAEA’s efforts to build partnerships to fight cancer, through both IAEA PACT and the Division of Human Health. The United States currently funds one Cost-Free Employee Expert in the PACT offices and, since 2010, we have provided PACT with approximately $1.8 million through the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI), including over $675,000 last year alone.

About $6.5 million in U.S. PUI funds have supported IAEA efforts to combat cancer, benefitting more than 30 countries around the world. (Photo: E. Estrada Lobato/IAEA)

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