Monday, 12 July 2021 - 16:00

Special Focus Dialogue: The role of in vitro diagnostics in early detection and treatment of cancer | UICC

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The role of in vitro diagnostics (IVD) in early detection and treatment of cancer

Description

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality globally. Early detection of cancer and access to effective cancer treatment can result in higher rates of survival and a better quality of life. However, patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are often diagnosed at a late disease stage, which contributes to higher cancer mortality.

In vitro diagnostics (IVDs) are a subset of medical devices that examine specimens taken from the human body which provide essential data for screening, diagnosis and treatment. Access to IVDs is vital for the early detection of cancer, however in many LMICs access to quality assured medical diagnostics is not a given.

Major challenges to the availability of IVDs include patient access, regulations, quality, supply chain, physical and personnel infrastructure, and costs. However, solutions are available depending on local context, political will, and resource allocation.

In this context, UICC, in collaboration with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), have launched a report on “The role of in vitro diagnostics in early detection and treatment of cancer”. The report highlights the role of in vitro diagnostics in early detection of disease, explores the barriers to accessing IVDs, particularly in LMICs, and outlines ways to address them. 

This Special Focus Dialogue explored and discussed the above-mentioned report and particularly focused on:

  • The importance of IVDs
  • The various barriers and challenges to equitable access to IVDs
  • Opportunities to build integrative and collaborative solutions for IVDs
  • The key role innovations may bring not only in improving health outcomes in high-income countries but also lead to substantial gains in LMICs. 

In addition to discussing of the report, the dialogue also highlighted findings of the Lancet Commission on Diagnostics.

Recording

Resources

Speakers

Moderated by: Shalini Jayasekar-Zürn, Senior Advocacy Manager, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

Beatrice Vetter, Scientific Officer, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)

Dan Milner

Dan Milner, Chief Medical Officer, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Sue Horton, University Research Chair and Professor, Health Economics, University of Waterloo

 

Event Information

Organiser
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Date and time
Email
membership@uicc.org
Location

Virtual event - online
1202 Geneva
Switzerland

Last update

Thursday 13 July 2023

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