IARC and PAHO launch the 1st edition of the Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer – PAHO/WHO

Lyon, France / Washington DC, October 17, 2023 – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) today launched the first edition of the Code Against Cancer for Latin America and the Caribbean. The new Code, which is part of the World Cancer Code, aims to help reduce the burden of cancer in the region by providing recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence.

The Code was launched throughout the region in a virtual event organized by PAHO and IARC. He will also be presented to global health and cancer leaders during a plenary session at the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Global Cancer Leaders Summit in Long Beach, California.

The development of this Code represents a collaborative effort between PAHO and IARC, working with a large group of scientific experts in the region, to review the evidence and make recommendations on the best way to prevent cancer. The Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM), the Association of Ibero-American Leagues Against Cancer (ALICC), the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and Amigo_h are civil society organizations that are collaborating with leading agencies in the dissemination of the code within the region.

“The Code is particularly relevant for primary health care providers, who are the first point of contact with the health system,” said PAHO Director Dr. Barbosa. «We hope that, through this Code, we can collectively influence positive changes in health policies and behaviors in our efforts to prevent cancer.»

The Code describes actions and interventions that have been shown to reduce cancer-related incidence and mortality, including policies to prevent tobacco use and reduce alcohol consumption; limit exposure to carcinogens, such as air pollution; prevent and/or treat cancer-related infections; and promote medical interventions and screening. The Code also includes recommendations for policymakers and governments on creating enabling environments that support the adoption and implementation of the guidance outlined in the Code. The recommendations are aligned with the WHO’s cost-effective interventions for non-communicable diseases, known as ‘Best Buys’, as well as with cancer prevention strategies promoted by PAHO.

«There were almost 1.4 million new cases of cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020, and more than 700,000 people died of cancer in the region that year,» said Dr. Carolina Espina, IARC scientist and leader. of the project. will increase by almost two thirds to 2.3 million cases, and by more than three quarters to 1.25 million deaths, per year by 2040. The Latin American and Caribbean Cancer Code, which was developed to address the needs of this region, there is a powerful evidence-based cancer prevention tool to help people and policymakers address, and perhaps reverse, these trends.”

The recommendations of the Code were developed by more than 60 experts from Latin America and the Caribbean, adapted to the epidemiological, socioeconomic and cultural context of the region, with the guidance of IARC and PAHO. The Code will be complemented by a comprehensive and easy-to-use competency-based online learning program for primary health care professionals, which will soon be available for free on the PAHO Virtual Public Health Campus.

The Code includes a series of 17 recommendations adapted exclusively to the socioeconomic and cultural context of Latin America and the Caribbean.

A global code against cancer

The Latin American and Caribbean Cancer Code, 1st edition, is the first Regional Code published under the IARC Global Cancer Code Framework, developed following the model of the European Cancer Code, 4th edition. It is available in Spanish, English and Portuguese on specific websites published by IARC and PAHO. The scientific journal Cancer Epidemiology published a special issue including eight related peer-reviewed publications to commemorate the launch.

«The Global Cancer Code Framework is a landmark initiative led by IARC that provides a standard strategy and methodology for developing regional cancer codes to promote cancer prevention globally,» said IARC Director, Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass. “The Framework has guided experts involved in the development of the Latin American and Caribbean Cancer Code to efficiently evaluate and review the most recent evidence, using local data where available; design the most appropriate communication methods to provide authoritative, clear and up-to-date recommendations on cancer prevention; and establish priorities for the needs of the region.”

“The global launch of the Latin American Code Against Cancer is probably the most important cancer control activity that has occurred in the region in recent years. This prevention tool is essential to try to reduce the relentless increase in cancer cases in almost all of our countries and represents a clear and forceful message for our healthy populations and their families, cancer patients and their survivors. It is also a guide for decision makers and health systems on how to increase and make preventive actions more effective.” (Dr. Eduardo Cazap, President of SLACOM).

“The main objectives of this project are to disseminate reliable information for the prevention of cancer, a critical public health problem, to as wide an audience as possible. These objectives align with our mission, which includes the commitment to support actions related to the early detection of the disease and the advancement of research in this field. We feel deeply honored to be part of this project alongside such esteemed entities. “This initiative addresses a cause that affects us all.” (Ida Sztamfater, president of friend h).

For more information, contact

PAHO Media Team at mediateam@paho.org
Nicholas O’Connor, Communications Team, at oconnorn@iarc.who.int or IARC Communications, at com@iarc.who.int

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization. Its mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and develop scientific strategies for cancer control. The Agency participates in epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses and scholarships. If you would like your name removed from our press release email list, please write to com@iarc.who.int.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their population. Founded in 1902, it is the oldest international public health agency in the world. It acts as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the inter-American system. www.paho.org