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Ali N, Amare E, Fekadu A, Awol M, Kayode O, Gebresenbet M, Nasir K, Dresser SA, Schriebmann E, Seife E, Esiashvili N. Establishment of Twinning Partnership to Improve Pediatric Radiotherapy Outcomes Globally. JCO Glob Oncol 2024; 10:e2300345. [PMID: 38359372 PMCID: PMC10881094 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric radiotherapy is a necessary and challenging component of oncologic care for children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Collaboration between institutions in LMICs and high-income countries (HICs) has been shown to be effective in improving oncologic treatment outcomes; however, literature regarding pediatric radiotherapy twinning partnerships is limited. METHODS Emory University has a long-standing twinning collaboration with Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) for certain medical specialties. After securing institutional funding, a faculty member and a resident from the Emory University Department of Radiation Oncology set out to establish a twinning program with TASH for pediatric radiotherapy. RESULTS Emory and TASH faculty and residents established initial communications virtually via email and video correspondence. TASH residents and faculty completed surveys regarding pediatric radiotherapy institutional and educational needs to outline goals of collaboration. Five lectures and case-based practicums were identified focused on Wilms tumor, medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and palliative radiotherapy. The Emory team then conducted a visit to TASH during which lectures and practicums were delivered. The Emory team directly observed and guided simulation and treatment planning procedures. TASH residents practiced decision making, simulation, contouring, and field placement for Wilms tumor cases on the basis of didactics and feedback provided by the Emory team. Additionally, a needs assessment regarding pediatric oncologic resources was completed. Clinical care pathways and standard operating procedures were drafted by collaborators. Virtual peer-review sessions were established to continue collaborations abroad and plan for next in-person visit. CONCLUSION Collaborative efforts by global experts have helped to establish and improve treatment protocols for childhood cancer. The presented twinning experience may serve as a model for other LMIC and HIC centers for establishing similar partnerships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naba Ali
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Elias Amare
- Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adugna Fekadu
- Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Munir Awol
- Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Molalgn Gebresenbet
- Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Keyru Nasir
- Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Edom Seife
- Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Rodin D, Dare AJ, Booker R, Booth C, Bryant H, Ginsburg O, Giuliani M, Gospodarowicz M, Gupta S, Hammad N, Rosberger Z, Sutcliffe S, Earle CC. Transforming Canada's role in global cancer control. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22:e400-e409. [PMID: 34478676 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00374-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has not been an explicit priority of Canada's international health and development agenda, but it is key to realising the country's Sustainable Development Goal commitments. Multiple converging political, health, and social forces could now drive support for a more integrated Canadian approach to global cancer control. Success will depend on the extent to which Canadian leaders and institutions can build consensus as a community and agree to work together. Collaboration should include agreement on the framing and prioritisation of the core issues, building a broad coalition base, aligning with priorities of international partners, and on a governance structure that reflects the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This Series paper will discuss global cancer control within Canada's global health agenda, how Canada can address its history of colonisation and present-day disparities in its global work, and the challenges and opportunities of creating a Canadian global cancer control network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Rodin
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Anna J Dare
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reanne Booker
- Palliative and End-of-Life Care Services-Calgary Zone, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Heather Bryant
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ophira Ginsburg
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Population Health and Perlmutter Cancer Centre, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meredith Giuliani
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Gospodarowicz
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nazik Hammad
- Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Zeev Rosberger
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Craig C Earle
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON, Canada
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