About 25 million people worldwide are living with cancer. Cases are on the rise across the world, but survival rates are improving in affluent countries because more cancers are detected early and treated appropriately. In contrast, both the incidence and death rates are worsening in the developing world. The gap is expected to widen substantially and health economists predict that cancer could become an impediment to socioeconomic development in low-income and economically emerging nations. However, much can be done to help developing countries cope with the impending crisis and lessen the toll of disease, suffering and death from cancer.

The 2008 World Cancer Summit, chaired by former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, aims to step up efforts to tackle the global cancer crisis. It brings together a broad panel of 63 high-level policymakers and experts to discuss the key challenges faced in combating cancer in the developing world. The group will recommend targets for 2020 and define priority actions needed to meet those targets.

What: Reporters are invited to attend a media briefing in advance of the summit, being held in Geneva on Saturday 30 August 2008. Experts will outline the aim of the summit, the key challenges of tackling cancer in developing countries and discuss how the world should respond.

When: 
5 pm Friday, 29 August 2008

Where: 
Media briefing room, Geneva Palexpo Convention Centre. The room is located near the exhibition hall on the 1st floor.

Who: 
Mary Robinson, president of Realizing Rights. Robinson served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and as President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997. 
Dr Franco Cavalli, president of the International Union Against Cancer. Cavalli is director of the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland and a professor of medical oncology at the University of Bern (Switzerland) and the University of Varese (Italy). 
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For more information, please contact:

Emma Ross: Tel (25-31 August): +41794704029 or +447590563314 

Email: rosswrite@mac.com

Amanda Marlin
Senior Consultant
Dynamics Group AG
Zürich, Bern, Genève 

Rue des Caroubiers 21  Case Postale 1949 ?CH-1227 Carouge/Geneva
Tel +41 22 308 62 24 ? Mobile +41 79 412 03 25 ? Skype: amandamarlin
ama@dynamicsgroup.ch
www.dynamicsgroup.ch

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