The Anguilla Cancer Society was among several institutions and individuals representing scientists, survivors and advocates at the just concluded Annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2016 Meeting Conference held from 15th April – 20th in New Orleans, Louisiana. This was a historic occasion with approximately 20,000 persons in attendance. Anguilla was the second Caribbean island to be ever represented at these meetings.
Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world’s largest and oldest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. Its mission “is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication and collaboration.” AACR membership comprises of more than 35,000 laboratory, translational and clinical researchers; population scientists, other health care professionals and cancer advocates from 101 countries around the world.
During the poster presentation sessions, President of the Anguilla Cancer Society, Mrs Gumbs showcased some of the advocacy work done over the years in the prevention and management of cancer in Anguilla. The society was applauded for their outstanding work by some of whom for the first time, knew about the island of Anguilla.
Throughout the conference scientist and researchers displayed and addressed some of most advance methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Many speakers emphasized “the use of Precision Medicine is transforming lives.” At its very essence, precision medicine is treating patients based on characteristics that distinguish individual from other patients with the same disease. The field of oncology has been leading the way in development of precision treatment. Another field highlighted was whole genome sequencing which is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome at a single time. Sequencing the genome of a person with cancer or someone with a rare disease will help scientists and doctors understand how the disease works. Scientist believes whole genome sequencing has the potential to transform the future of health care, with new and better tests, drugs and treatment. It is expected to provide a lifeline to thousands of families affected by rare genetic diseases and cancers.
Additionally, on April 20th Vice President Biden of United States addressed the meeting calling for “overhauling cancer research incentives that would speed up development and new treatments and spread the word about new discoveries faster”. Vice President Biden who lost his son Beau, age 46 to brain cancer last year leads the federal government’s “Moonshot” a national effort aimed at achieving a decade worth of advances against cancer in 5 years. This initiative was launched in January 2016 by President Obama.
Cancer is an ongoing challenge; this year it is predicted that 8.9 million people worldwide will die from cancer. It is further predicted that cancer incidence will increase from 12.8 million new cases in 2008 to 24 million in 2035.
In the fight against cancer, the Anguilla Cancer Society would like to thank the various businesses and individuals for their generous support over the years. The society is appealing to the general public to join them in the fight against cancer by supporting the various initiatives held by the society. In addition, the society is encouraging everyone to take personal steps to help minimize the risks of cancer by reducing the preventable causes such as avoiding tobacco smoke, avoid being obese or overweight, improving dietary habits and increasing physical activity in your daily life.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
