Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and its damage cuts across medical, financial and emotional lines, affecting families, healthcare systems and economies.
Today, we look at how cancer effects people across the Indo-Pacific, how survivors are being helped and the new research into possible cures.
Caring for a cancer condition that often goes unseen
Vanessa Vaughan, University of Western Australia
Cancer cachexia affects 50 to 80 percent of people with cancer, but you may never have heard of it.
Anchored by debt: When cancer holds families hostage
Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy, Universiti Malaya and Yek-Ching Kong, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon
Cancer puts a huge financial burden on families. Programmes to help cope with the cost can only help patients and their loved ones.
Are 'zombie' cancer cells why the disease sometimes returns?
Keefe Chan, The University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Cancer treatments can put some cancer cells to sleep instead of killing them. Researchers are investigating if this is a reason the disease sometimes returns.
Video: Better care for Australia's childhood cancer survivors
Jordana McLoone, UNSW Sydney
Researchers in Sydney have designed a way to bring distance-delivered care to childhood cancer survivors, even in remote settings.
Better understanding makes better home care for cancer patients
Christantie Effendy, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Indonesia’s strong family ties mean many cancer patients are cared for at home. Understanding palliative care can help elevate a patient's quality of life.
Plants can be game-changers in cancer treatment
Nidhi Didwania, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad
Plant-derived anticancer agents are effective cancer inhibitors. Their production and use needs to be managed to keep up with demand sustainably.
Breast cancer can bring financial ruin in India
Sanjay K. Mohanty, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Tabassum Wadasadawala, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai; Suraj Maiti and Soumendu Sen, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai
Lowering screening age, increasing health awareness and improving access to screening services can improve breast cancer outcomes for poor women.
Can the Indo-Pacific eliminate cervical cancer?
Marion Saville, University of Malaya and The University of Melbourne
Australia is close to eliminating cervical cancer. Could other countries in the Indo-Pacific soon follow suit?
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