Article VII states that:
Individual and constituency-based patient advocacy has directly and favorably impacted the war against cancer in instances in which it is well informed and rooted in an understanding of and commitment to quality science and evidence-based medical practice. As the primary stakeholder in the anti-cancer effort, the patient is uniquely positioned to focus the overall anti-cancer effort on eradication of disease and on the optimal use of resources to benefit people at risk of cancer and people living with and fighting the disease.
The parties undertake to strengthen the position of the cancer patient as an active partner in the fight against cancer and will actively promote the following principles:
- All people affected or potentially affected by cancer should have equal access to information concerning the disease and treatment options including disease origin, prevention, current standards for detection, diagnosis and treatment.
- Open and collaborative communication between people with cancer and health care professionals and scientists is essential.
- A commitment to total patient well being includes not only clinical care but also information and psychosocial support. Health care professionals and people with cancer share the responsibility to ensure that total patient needs are met.
- People with cancer throughout the world have the opportunity to become informed, organized and influential.
- The professional medical community, recognizing the power and benefit of an informed and active public, will help facilitate popular commitment to both the scientific process and the practice of evidence-based medicine.
- The medical research, industry and policy communities will regard informed patient advocates as key strategic partners in all aspects of the fight against cancer, including the advancement of standards of care and survival.
How has patient advocacy, and the accessibility of information and treatments changed since the signing of the Charter?
Multiple organizations around the world have created patient advocacy programs, navigation programs, care plan programs, and expanded access programs, all of which are designed to assist cancer patients and survivors in helping them to access treatments for their cancer, to navigate the healthcare system, gain financial stability, and employment opportunities, and offer psychosocial support while they are undergoing, or after they have undergone treatment.
International organizations like the International Agency for Research on Cancer have put together various databases, including the Global Cancer Observatory, to inform people of statistics and trends related to various cancers, including what their risk factors are. The Union for International Cancer Control has worked diligently to increase patient advocacy and raise awareness for cancer through things like World Cancer Day. National organization like the American Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK, the Swiss Cancer League, etc. are all dedicated towards increasing public awareness, particularly of preventative measures and lifestyle changes that could reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cancer, as well as supporting people diagnosed with cancer through various means.
Certain countries have adapted to this better. In the less developed parts of the world, where the infrastructure is not in place to be able to facilitate such dissemination of information, we have not seen as much progress in this field as we have in areas such as Europe or North America.