Isabel Mestres, CEO of the City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Across the globe, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women , but survival still depends on where you live. In many HIC, survival rates are above 80%, while in LMICs women are often diagnosed late, and survival can drop below 40%.
On a personal note, I asked my kids to take a picture, dressed in pink, for this post and they came up with their own idea on the trampoline with pink balloons (the result was not quite what they expected). But the best part was that it gave me the chance to explain to them what breast cancer burden is and what C/Can has been doing to change the story.
At City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), we partner with cities to make a tangible difference. Together we’ve:
- Trained over 225 health professionals in breast cancer care
- Improved diagnostic accuracy with quality systems in pathology and radiology
- Strengthened treatment planning so women are diagnosed earlier and complete care on time
In Kumasi, Ghana, for example, over 1,500 women have already benefited from timelier diagnosis and treatment. The city’s Breast Cancer Action Plan, now aligned with WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, is being scaled up nationally.
I share more reflections in my recent op-ed with Resolve Global Health: Cancer equity for women demands city-level solutions.
Because delivering equity in cancer care means looking locally, and acting globally.”
More posts featuring Isabel Mestres.