Dear Neil and Venus,
Yes, a HIFA project related to knowledge (or the lack of it) about cancer would be wonderful. This is a subject that can be addressed under several headings: the continuing lack of public and professional awareness; the damaging effect of social stigma (for men and for women); deliberate misinformation, and financial exploitation. A recent webinar 'Tackling health misinformation and understanding health literacy’ hosted by the Patient Information Forum provided alarming insights into the vulnerability of online information sources. In particular the presentation by sociologist Dr Stephanie Baker (City University, London) on the fake cancer cures, algorithmic misinformation and online harms she discovered during her research of platforms such as TikTok is worthy of everyone’s attention. The link for the webinar is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYpHD7_clEk (Stephanie’s talk starts at 36.00).
A HIFA project on the dissemination of cancer knowledge would an exciting development, and one that could attract international attention at this year’s London Global Cancer Week (24-29 November). As Chair of the UK and Ireland Global Cancer Network I would like to add my voice in support of the concept.
Very best wishes,
Mark Lodge
HIFA profile: Mark Lodge is Director of Programme Development at the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Oxford, UK. The INCTR is dedicated to helping to build capacity for cancer treatment and research in countries in which such capacity is presently limited, and thereby to create a foundation on which to build strategies designed to lessen the suffering, limit the number of lives lost, and promote the highest quality of life for children and adults with cancer in these countries, and to increase the quantity and quality of cancer research throughout the world. www.inctr.org mlodge AT canet.org