International leaders in the fight against cancer launched the Global Access to Pain Relief Initiative (GAPRI), calling for universal access to controlled pain medication for cancer patients worldwide. Action is needed now to ease the suffering of the millions of cancer sufferers around the world who are forced to go without adequate pain treatment.
GAPRI is expected to play a major role in meeting World Cancer Declaration target eight – one of 11 targets which, if achieved, will help reverse the cancer epidemic by 2020. Meeting today at the 2010 World Cancer Leader’s Summit, the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), American Cancer Society, LIVESTRONG, World Economic Forum and the World Health Organization are uniting to back the new initiative.
“Irrespective of where they live, all cancer patients deserve access to effective pain medication. GAPRI is an extremely important programme to help tackle what we feel is a basic human right”, comments UICC’s President Professor David Hill. “We are calling on Governments and decisions makers worldwide to support our programme and help us eradicate unnecessary pain and suffering for millions worldwide.”
The pain of cancer can be safely and effectively treated through the use of opioid analgesics, such as morphine. However, according to the WHO, an estimated five billion people live in countries with limited or no access to controlled medicines. Furthermore, in the majority of these countries even the most basic treatment for moderate to severe pain is still extremely limited.1 Inequality in access to pain medication for cancer patients must be addressed.
Using the UICC’s voice, networks and resources, GAPRI will promote the need to meet World Cancer Declaration target eight, which states, “effective pain control measures will be available universally to all cancer patients in pain”. Plans include engaging at an international level – including with relevant UN agencies – and stimulating national action in key countries.
The incidence and burden of cancer is huge. Cancer kills more people on a global scale than AIDS, malaria and TB combined. Nearly 12.7 million cases and 7.6 million deaths due to the disease were reported in 2008. Without significant action to address these premature deaths,preventable and curable cancers will continue to kill millions of people worldwide.
The global cancer epidemic is set to continue rising, placing further strains on both individuals and their families, and the societies in which they live. The number of cancer cases and related deaths worldwide is estimated to double over the next 20-40 years. With the greatest increase expected in low- and middle-income countries, those least equipped to cope with both the social and economic impact of the disease. By 2030 it is believed that there will be 26 million new cancer cases and 17 million cancer deaths per year.
Source: UICC