The power of collaboration to #ClosetheCareGap in cancer

As we approach #WorldCancerDay, observed on Sunday, February 4, I invite each of us to take a moment to reflect on the role we can all play to help #ClosetheCareGap for cancer patients.

Closing the gap in cancer care prompted me to build my career in the pharmaceutical industry and helped to shape my academic, professional, and personal pursuits. It all started at university, studying Biological Sciences, which I followed up with a Master’s in Public Health focused on underrepresented groups in cancer clinical trials. And on a personal note, like many of us, I’ve had several family members and friends that have been affected by cancer.

After over two decades on this journey, I’m optimistic and inspired by the positive impact that scientific advancements and public health policies have had on cancer care and the hope we’ve been able to provide for patients worldwide thanks to the collective efforts across sectors.

However, Latin America still faces significant challenges in terms of access to novel treatments that must be addressed urgently if we aim to close the care gap in the coming years. Achieving this goal requires cooperation and commitment from all of us, including civil society institutions, academia, governments, industry associations, startups, and the scientific community.

At MSD, we’re working to invent a world where cancer isn’t just treated but potentially cured. We’re proud to deliver breakthrough innovations in oncology that help to extend the lives of patients with certain types of cancer. But Science can only change the course of lives when patients can access it.

That’s why we also work with the entire oncology community — advocacy partners, health care providers, governments and industry colleagues — to create programs that help patients and caregivers on their journeys, as well as to provide grants to organizations that support patients with cancer.

Throughout 2023, I was fortunate to visit several markets I oversee in Latin America and engage with partners with a shared purpose, such as Fundación Peruana de Cáncer, City Cancer Challenge, Cancer Warriors from Mexico, Mamotest, Ministers of Health from Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, Puerto Rico – to name a few – to explore innovate ways to collaborate. I remain amazed and inspired by the valuable work they carry out to improve cancer care in the region.

The challenges are many, but the power of cooperation and collective action to save lives is limitless. Starting now, driven by a shared purpose of creating a future without cancer, we must all play our role in strengthening resources and support to improve timely and adequate ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. Because #PatientsCan’tWait. MSD LATAM #SOMOSLATAM #WEARELATAM

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