How MD Anderson’s global oncology commitment is improving cancer care worldwide

MD Anderson has a clear mission: to end cancer. However, our efforts go far beyond our campuses in the Greater Houston area. To make the biggest impact, we’re making our expertise and care more accessible to the providers, patients and communities who need it most.

Achieving a future without cancer requires that we work together – locally, nationally and globally. MD Anderson’s Global Oncology Program collaborates with governments and mission-aligned organizations to improve cancer education, training and research initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. By uniting clinicians and scientists, hospitals and health systems, ministries of health, and non-government organizations, we aim to expand access, share knowledge and learn from one another to achieve our mission.

MD Anderson previously has announced international collaborations aimed at advancing global cancer care. These efforts include relationships with:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  
• Ministry of Health in Mozambique
• Ministry of Health in Indonesia

We spoke with gynecologic oncologist and Associate Vice President of Global Oncology Kathleen Schmeler, M.D., to learn more about these efforts. Here’s what she had to say.

Building on success with cancer training programs in Zambia

Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet too many women are dying from it. We first began this work by teaming up with local community clinics in the Texas Rio Grande Valley to lower cervical cancer rates by providing free Pap and HPV screening tests, along with diagnostic and treatment services for women with abnormal results. In 2014, we expanded these efforts to Mozambique, an East African country with some of the highest cervical cancer rates in the world.

The Ministry of Health in Zambia noticed our work in Mozambique and asked MD Anderson for help to improve cervical cancer prevention and treatment in that country. Cervical cancer accounts for about 23% of all new cancer cases in Zambia and is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Zambian women.

Early detection is key to reducing cancer rates, so MD Anderson is working with the Ministry of Health to set up and expand cervical and breast cancer screening services across Zambia. By training local health care providers and giving them the necessary tools and knowledge, we can help diagnose and treat patients when the cancer is still in its early or precancerous stages.

The training includes use of portable, battery-operated thermal ablation devices and LEEP machines. These can be used in rural clinics that don’t have reliable electricity, and they’re easy for doctors, midwives or nurses to carry from one clinic to another if needed.

Education and training are crucial for making lasting improvements in health care. MD Anderson is helping the Ministry of Health create training programs for Zambian health care professionals. These programs not only improve the skills of local providers but also empower them to teach others, spreading knowledge and skills throughout the health care system.

It’s inspiring to see Zambia’s Ministry of Health working hard on prevention efforts. I’m grateful MD Anderson can contribute to reducing cancer rates by catching it early and treating it effectively.

Radiation oncologist Lilie Lin, M.D., is part of a National Institutes of Health-funded team that studies how HIV affects treatment results and side effects in women with cervical cancer. She helped create a fully virtual training program called the MD Anderson and Zambia Virtual Clinical Research Training Program (MOZART), which includes weekly online lectures and mentorship for Zambian trainees. The team also helps build research capacity through a hybrid research training course strengthening the local health care system's ability to address cancer effectively.

In addition to our work in cervical cancer, breast imaging specialist Toma Omofoye, M.D., is training Zambian radiologists in breast cancer imaging and diagnosis. She is working to increase breast screening expertise by teaching radiology and diagnostic skills in Zambia through lectures, biopsy training and research. The team is currently educating Zambia’s first locally trained breast radiologist.

As a result of these efforts, MD Anderson and the Ministry of Health of Zambia recently signed a five-year agreement to boost cancer control planning and implementation efforts across Zambia.

Our continued commitment to better global cancer care

The work in Zambia is ongoing, but the progress made so far is proof of the power of collaboration and dedication. MD Anderson is committed to continuing this important work, building on our successes and expanding our efforts to reach even more communities. Together, we can create a future where all patients, regardless of their geographic location, have access to the quality cancer care they deserve.

MD Anderson is not just treating cancer – we are building a foundation for long-term, sustainable improvements in health care that will help generations to come. Our work in Zambia is an example of this commitment, and we are proud to join forces with our collaborators in this vital mission.

At MD Anderson, our goal is to work closely with other organizations to make the greatest impact on humanity. We focus on supporting their efforts by sharing our expertise, especially in cancer prevention, where together, we can make a global difference.

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