You can join the global fight against cancer!

M. D. Anderson goes to Paris for the World Summit Against Cancer. Dr. John Mendelsohn, president of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, led a delegation of M. D. Anderson faculty to Paris for the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium Feb. 3-4.

"This summit represents the coming together of talent, accomplishment, commitment and need. The participants, understanding the crying need for progress, are intent on accelerating the translation of existing progress to practice and enlisting international forces to encourage additional accomplishments in research," says Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi, chairman of the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at M. D. Anderson, one of the first three Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

This first-ever gathering of dignitaries from around the world signified a global commitment to eliminate cancer. Summit organizers say cancer will continue to become an increasingly important contributor to the global burden of disease as we enter a new millennium, despite the fact that many cancers are preventable through tobacco, diet, infection and pollution control.

"Research into the basic mechanisms of cancer and new forms of detection and treatment are the building blocks of outstanding patient care. As we move into a new millennium, we are in the midst of an explosion--ignited by basic research--of scientific discoveries that will light the way to even more clinical progress in the years ahead," says Dr. Mendelsohn.

Feb. 4 was declared World Cancer Day so that the Charter of Paris Against Cancer will be in the hearts and minds of people around the world each year.

Individuals around the world are encouraged to show their support for the global commitment against cancer by signing their name to the Charter of Paris Against Cancer. The primary articles of the Charter – which was co-authored by Dr. Hortobagyi – can be found here.