UK cancer healthcare professionals collaborating with colleagues in low- and middle-income counties: Mapping the extent and nature of partnerships.

person Kim Diprose UK Global Cancer Network, Manchester, United Kingdom info_outline Kim Diprose, Philippa Lewis, Annie Young, Bhawna Sirohi, Neil Ranasinghe, Miriam Claire Mutebi, Bishal Gyawali, Mark Lodge, Richard Sullivan, Richard Cowan, Susannah Jane Stanway

Authors person Kim Diprose UK Global Cancer Network, Manchester, United Kingdom info_outline Kim Diprose, Philippa Lewis, Annie Young, Bhawna Sirohi, Neil Ranasinghe, Miriam Claire Mutebi, Bishal Gyawali, Mark Lodge, Richard Sullivan, Richard Cowan, Susannah Jane Stanway Organizations UK Global Cancer Network, Manchester, United Kingdom, Royal United Hospitals Bath, Bath, United Kingdom, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom, BALCO Medical Center, Raipur, India, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada, International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Oxford, United Kingdom, King’s College London, Institute of Cancer Policy, London, United Kingdom, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom, UK Global Cancer Network, Manchestesr, United Kingdom Abstract Disclosures Research Funding Institutional Funding Institute of Cancer Policy, Kings College, UK Background: Most cancer deaths occur in low- & middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2020, the UK Global Cancer Network (UKGCN) formed to unite those interested in Global Oncology & to strengthen collaborative work with colleagues in LMICs to reduce morbidity & mortality from cancer. For the first time in the UK, the UKGCN undertook a mapping exercise, to document the number & type of collaborations between the UK & LMIC partners. Methods: A semi-structured survey was developed & performed over 10 weeks from February 2021, to identify UK individuals & institutions engaged in clinical practice, research &/or education with LMIC partners, where the aim was to improve the care of people with/at risk of cancer. The survey was emailed to individuals in NHS hospitals, charities, universities, other organisations, UKGCN members & to contacts identified by a literature search. Results: A total of 639 invitations were sent & 88 responses received. Results demonstrate a range of collaborative efforts spanning many areas of cancer control:health promotion & prevention, diagnosis & treatment to survivorship & palliative care. A wide range of countries were represented: Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, MENA region, China & South-East Asia. Projects included education & training (146), clinical practice (144) & research (226; Table). Funding sources for projects included academic institutions, private sector, United Nations agencies, UK government, arms-length bodies & international government. Conclusions: This mapping exercise has demonstrated considerable UK collaboration with colleagues in LMICs across the continuum, involving all 3 domains of education, practice, & research. This mapping exercise will serve as a baseline on which to build a more accurate database to measure future work. It will enable the UK community to guide domestic strategy, increase efficiency, enable innovation & accelerate collaborations. Information from the survey has been used as a catalyst to create new partnerships between colleagues working in similar geographical settings, encouraging bidirectional learning leading to mutual benefit. Next steps include using this data to support calls for increased funding in global cancer care, & for institutional recognition of, & investment in, Global Oncology as a discipline. The survey will be repeated using more comprehensive methods to increase accuracy with a view to maintaining an up-to-date database. Nature and domains of oncology collaborations between UK and LMIC partners. Nature of collaborations Education & training Research Clinical practice Prevention 13 25 17 Screening /detection 22 28 22 Diagnosis 35 26 28 Treatment 34 31 36 Living with and beyond cancer (survivorship) 16 14 14 Supportive and palliative care 26 26 27 Additional research areas Basic Science Translational Clinical Social science Other 9 19 24 14 10