Cancer is a word - and a disease - that often provokes overwhelming
feelings of alarm. Almost nothing hits as hard as being told that you or
someone you love has cancer.
From a public health perspective, cancer is just one of many pressing
political issues, but for people with cancer and their families it is an
immediate and urgent problem.
An advocacy initiative, Campaigning for Cancer, has since been
established
to fight for the rights of cancer patients.
"Through empowering people with cancer and cancer survivors to voice
their
opinions, we hope to see a growing body of people who will help drive
real
change in the way health services are delivered, said Samatha Galliet,
founder and director of Campaigning for Cancer.
The 31-year-old breast cancer survivor made headlines with her 'David and
Goliath' battle to get life-saving Herceptin treatment paid for by her
medical aid.
The Campaigning for Cancer, a Southern Africa advocacy group based in
Johannesburg, aims to give a voice to the thousands of people living with
cancer. The organization hopes to lobby for the promotion and protection
of the rights of patients and those affected by cancer.
Galliet says they organisation has observed that patients and their
families in developed countries are now actively speaking up.
"There's a need to address the endemic problems in the healthcare systems
of the developing world as well. This is in order to gain better access
to
quality care and up to date treatments, ensure that they have the right
to
an enhanced quality of life and more advanced palliative care," she says.
To this end the Campaigning for Cancer conference has been organised. It
will take place in Johannesburg next month to discuss challenges faced by
people living with and those affected by cancer.
Participants will explore emerging issues in public policy and medical
practice, learn about the latest in cancer research and science and
sharpen their advocacy abilities.
Leading experts from scientific and research fields will discuss new and
often controversial issues in the struggle to diagnose, treat, cure - and
ultimately prevent - cancer.
The conference will also feature nationally and internationally
recognized
experts who will answer some of the most important cancer advocacy
questions of the decade.
For a complete list of speakers and a conference brochure, please visit
Campaign for Cancer website at campaign4cancer.
The conference takes place from Friday, October 5th through Sunday,
October 7th at The Forum, in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
campaign4cancer
View drug information on Herceptin.