Cancer and the Global Equity Divide: A Call for Action Grace Gawler republished from The Conversation

This year more than half of the nearly 13 million new cancer cases diagnosed worldwide and two-thirds of cancer deaths will occur in the world’s low and middle income countries (LMICs). Nearly a third of these deaths could have been prevented

The Conversation
Published with permission in The Conversation 4 February 2013 – please read & distribute this important information.

Cancer and the Global Equity Divide: A Call for Action.

By Alessandro R Demaio, University of Copenhagen

This article was written by Toni Kuguru, Sebastian Rodríguez Llamazares, Alessandro Demaio and A/Prof Felicia Knaul.

This year more than half of the nearly 13 million new cancer cases diagnosed worldwide and two-thirds of cancer deaths will occur in the world’s low and middle income countries (LMICs). Nearly a third of these deaths could have been prevented with the knowledge and technology already available today. For example, only 10% of children diagnosed with leukemia in the 25 poorest countries of the world will survive compared to 90% of children diagnosed with leukemia in Canada.

 

The disease burden in developing nations is growing. Caused by an inequity in health, healthcare and resulting disease, the disparities across the cancer care continuum found between rich and poor countries remain largely unaddressed. The cancer divide is the result of these disparities — explained in the report of the Global Task Force on Expanded Access to Cancer Care and Control in Developing Countries-GTF.CCC and in the book Closing the Cancer Divide: An Equity Imperative.

The Cancer Divide

Evidence of this growing burden in LMICs is only beginning to be translated into effective and practical solutions. Traditional rhetoric argues that the challenge of addressing cancer in poor countries is unnecessary, unaffordable, unrealistic, and detracts resources from other more pressing development programs. However, the impending cancer crisis in LMICs remains too large to be ignored. Continue reading “Cancer and the Global Equity Divide: A Call for Action Grace Gawler republished from The Conversation”

Hyperthermia in German and American Clinics – follow on from Sunrise Channel 7 Grace Gawler

 The segment on hyperthermia treatment for cancer in Germany on Channel 7’s Sunrise before Christmas 2011, generated a lot interest and enquiry. I will be visiting Germany during the second half of March representing our Institute at a prestigious medical gathering where I will  introduce our original “Collaborative Medicine” concept at an oncology Symposium; the theme being: “New capabilities in laboratory diagnostics and individual therapies in cancer treatment”
We are able to attend the symposium as guest of the organisers and gratefully, our air travel and expenses are paid for; helpful for our Gold Coast non profit organisation. During our stay, we will explore various hyperthermia clinics in Germany and plan to bring back a wealth of literature, studies and ideas. If you are wondering about hyperthermia, how it works and how it can help cancer situations, please watch the following short video from Oncotherm – the manufacture of medical hyperthermia units in Europe.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhrQ5uu7z-4&w=420&h=315]

We see this trip to Germany as an opportunity to explore first-hand, several clinics includng the hospital of Prof Alex Herzog and the clinics of Dr Ursula Jacob,  and Dr Peter Wolf. All use hyperthermia as a part of a comprehensive cancer treatment program. We will also meet with Prof Thomas Vogl famous for his method of chemotherapy delivery; called chemo-perfusion which is often a partner to hyperthermia treatment, adding to the possibility of successful outcomes.

Hyperthermia is now also used in some hospitals in the USA. Cancer Treatment Centers of America website is now promoting the benefits of hyperthermia in cancer therapy. The following video has excellent information about hyperthermia and as well, there is an inspiring patient story:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF-nm8fi3oo&w=420&h=315]
Breast cancer hyperthermia, is now a leading-edge medical treatment in the USA and is used to heat and destroy or damage cancer cells. A non-invasive therapy, breast cancer hyperthermia works by delivering microwave energy directly to the tumor. By exposing a small area of cancerous breast tissue to high temperatures (about 106 degrees), hyperthermia therapy damages proteins and structures within cells, thereby shrinking breast tumors.

The heat increases blood and oxygen circulation within the breast tumor, helping to make cancer cells more vulnerable to the effects of other treatments, like breast cancer radiation therapy and certain chemotherapy drugs. Thus, hyperthermia is often used in conjunction with one of these other therapies. The radiation oncologist  typically uses hyperthermia to treat superficial breast tumors located within a few centimeters from the surface of the body. Hyperthermia is also a promising option if you have advanced or recurrent breast cancer, as the treatment may help to improve your quality of life after breast cancer radiation therapy. To watch a short video about breast cancer hyperthermia- click the link:
http://www.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/hyperthermia.cfm

The Grace Gawler Institute specialises in preparation, liaison and collaboration with clinics of excellence worldwide so that you can access the best in cancer care. We organise your medical files and dialogue directly with doctors about your treatment plan and quote. All you need to do is arrive at the airport – we ensure you have a friendly face waiting for you at your destination airport. Having had several pioneering surgical procedures myself in a foreign country – I personally appreciate the important journey patients make in order to extend their lives and hopefuly arrest their cancer. Remember also that overseas treatments may not be the magic bullet – there are things you may need to change /attend to in your personal life to lower your risk of recurrence. As well, it is imperative that you have treating oncologist who is prepared to continue treatments or monitor your situation on return to Australia. Support groups after returning can be helpful – we will begin online webinar support groups before June this year – you can log on from anywhere in the world! An announcement will be made on this blog.
All the overseas clinics/hospitals we recommend, practise integrated oncology – they are not alternative medicine practices.
Please contact me for further information at Email: institute@gracegawler.com  website www.gracegawlerinstitute.com 

SE Queenslanders – Please remember to support our Gold Coast Fundraiser 2nd March at Hope Island – Pre-booking is essential contact or buy tickets on line at the website above.

 

Professor Ian Haines co author Gawler 'cure' challenge also a survivor – Grace Gawler

Unless you are Melbourne based, you may have missed an amazing story that precedes the publication and release of  a medical journal article report that offers a likely hypothesis for the recovery of Ian Gawler – Australia’s most famous recovered cancer patient. The report was reviewed and published recently in the Melbourne Age.  
Professor Ian Haines, a co author with Professor Ray Lowenthal, recently turned the worlds of complementary & alternative medicine upside down when they reported that their research unequivocally found that in Ian Gawler’s case evidence of widespread secondary cancer was lacking, suggesting that based on reviewed evidence not previously available, that the patient Ian had advanced tuberculosis mimicking cancer. (supported by past medical literature searches).

Professor Haines recently experienced his own exciting story of survival.  The e-published Internal Medicine Journal  article may not have had one of its authors alive to discuss the importance of the report to cancer patients because just as Professor Haines was driving out of the Melbourne Cabrini Hospital carpark in late November 2011, on his 57th birthday, he had a cardiac arrest and was clinically dead.
Watch video interview with Professor Haines Channel 7 Melbourne: Click here

Fortunately, Dr Peter Jenkins followed by orderly & CPR expert Jonathon Cooper came to the rescue and in an intense 7 mins effort, Ian was brought back to life – a second chance and a miraculous recovery event. A long time advocate for cancer patients and well published researcher, Professor Haines is now a survivor in his own right. I was thinking about survival yesterday as it was the 10 year anniversary of my own survival when I travelled to the Netherlands to have my “world first” bionic colon implant  – a miraculous surgery that saved my life and gave me back life quality. The lower end of my colon had been paralysed – an unexpected post surgical complication following a hysterectomy in Dec 1997. I am eternally grateful to the researcher/colo-rectal surgeon who took a chance and gave me a second chance at life and a return to my career.

Like Professor Haines – if not for modern medicine, neither of us would be here to continue my work and assist those with life challenging illness.

www.gracegawlerinstitute.com  E- institute@gracegawler.com

 

 

Professor Ian Haines co author Gawler ‘cure’ challenge also a survivor – Grace Gawler

Unless you are Melbourne based, you may have missed an amazing story that precedes the publication and release of  a medical journal article report that offers a likely hypothesis for the recovery of Ian Gawler – Australia’s most famous recovered cancer patient. The report was reviewed and published recently in the Melbourne Age.  
Professor Ian Haines, a co author with Professor Ray Lowenthal, recently turned the worlds of complementary & alternative medicine upside down when they reported that their research unequivocally found that in Ian Gawler’s case evidence of widespread secondary cancer was lacking, suggesting that based on reviewed evidence not previously available, that the patient Ian had advanced tuberculosis mimicking cancer. (supported by past medical literature searches).

Professor Haines recently experienced his own exciting story of survival.  The e-published Internal Medicine Journal  article may not have had one of its authors alive to discuss the importance of the report to cancer patients because just as Professor Haines was driving out of the Melbourne Cabrini Hospital carpark in late November 2011, on his 57th birthday, he had a cardiac arrest and was clinically dead.
Watch video interview with Professor Haines Channel 7 Melbourne: Click here

Fortunately, Dr Peter Jenkins followed by orderly & CPR expert Jonathon Cooper came to the rescue and in an intense 7 mins effort, Ian was brought back to life – a second chance and a miraculous recovery event. A long time advocate for cancer patients and well published researcher, Professor Haines is now a survivor in his own right. I was thinking about survival yesterday as it was the 10 year anniversary of my own survival when I travelled to the Netherlands to have my “world first” bionic colon implant  – a miraculous surgery that saved my life and gave me back life quality. The lower end of my colon had been paralysed – an unexpected post surgical complication following a hysterectomy in Dec 1997. I am eternally grateful to the researcher/colo-rectal surgeon who took a chance and gave me a second chance at life and a return to my career.

Like Professor Haines – if not for modern medicine, neither of us would be here to continue my work and assist those with life challenging illness.

www.gracegawlerinstitute.com  E- institute@gracegawler.com

 

 

Why a brave mum said no to chemotherapy – Grace Gawler comments to the editor – Adelaide Now

To the Editor-Adelaide Now This blog was written due the abscence of correspondence or comment from Adelaide Now or from freelance journalist Laura Bond – who is promoting her views on mums not having chemo.

Dear Editor I am alarmed at the content of the article dated October 29, 2011
published on online “Adelaide Now” and titled “Why a brave mum said no
to chemotherapy” and the blog www.MumsNotHavingChemo.com  I believe your newspaper has a public duty of care to present the other side of the issue as to what happens to cancer patients who choose alt/med exclusively forgoing chemotherapy and other conventional treatments.  I note that the online article lists no author – however it becomes obvious when you read through the material; who has written it; freelance  journalist Laura Bond whose mum has chosen not to have chemo.
Cancer patients may die unnecessarily by taking the ‘seemingly legitimate’
advice which is actually regurgitated from the usual poor science found on the  internet.
Recently it became public that Apple’s Steve Jobs turned his back on surgery in favour of alternative medicine; that choice cost him his life. His type of tumour was treatable with conventional medicine. Inherent dangers exist in advising cancer patients against conventional medicine. Will we next see a blog “Why a brave mum said no to chemotherapy for her leukaemic child!” …. because that is the obvious extrapolation! Such an article carries with it a huge public duty of care and responsibility. Continue reading “Why a brave mum said no to chemotherapy – Grace Gawler comments to the editor – Adelaide Now”

Gawler Foundation – Grace Gawler's New Gold Coast Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions

Great news for cancer patients and caregivers – Grace is back after a long absence from her not for profit Foundation work – now with her own health promotion charity – Integrated Cancer Solutions – located at Hope Island, Gold Coast Queensland.  A generous donor who recognised Grace’s contribution to her previous organisation, the Gawler Foundation; has gifted funds so that once again, Grace Gawler’s services can be accessed by cancer patients and care-givers.

With services including support groups, consultations, residential programs (small numbers of participants for individualised help); the Trust and Centre will soon make its mark on the map. Grace is keen to share the following story because it gives credence to the necessity at times to help patients find their solutions outside of Australia. The new Trust already has strong professional liaisons with local and national integrative doctors as well as integrated oncology clinics around the globe – in particular, Germany.

Grace Says: “For 13 years I had to deal with my own life threatening situation – a result of unexpected complications evident after a routine surgical procedure in 1997.  Continue reading “Gawler Foundation – Grace Gawler's New Gold Coast Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions”

Gawler Foundation – Grace Gawler’s New Gold Coast Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions

Great news for cancer patients and caregivers – Grace is back after a long absence from her not for profit Foundation work – now with her own health promotion charity – Integrated Cancer Solutions – located at Hope Island, Gold Coast Queensland.  A generous donor who recognised Grace’s contribution to her previous organisation, the Gawler Foundation; has gifted funds so that once again, Grace Gawler’s services can be accessed by cancer patients and care-givers.

With services including support groups, consultations, residential programs (small numbers of participants for individualised help); the Trust and Centre will soon make its mark on the map. Grace is keen to share the following story because it gives credence to the necessity at times to help patients find their solutions outside of Australia. The new Trust already has strong professional liaisons with local and national integrative doctors as well as integrated oncology clinics around the globe – in particular, Germany.

Grace Says: “For 13 years I had to deal with my own life threatening situation – a result of unexpected complications evident after a routine surgical procedure in 1997.  Continue reading “Gawler Foundation – Grace Gawler’s New Gold Coast Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions”