Our Global Oncology programs are designed to be scalable, generalizable, and build research capacity in hosting countries. Wherever we go, investigators and clinicians, patients with cancer and their families, and local communities become authentic partners dedicated to being part of evidence-based solutions to the worldwide cancer burden.
To learn more, please refer to our program guide (PDF).
Perspectives on global cancer
Globally, cancer is rising in the very locations where resources are most limited. In the U.S., most individuals can prevent 40-50% of cancer by screening, early detection, and lifestyle choices.
Tragically, 80% of the world's population who live in less-developed countries have no access to those options. The tests, techniques, and lifestyle choices we benefit from often do not translate to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) because of costs, lack of supporting infrastructure/technology/expertise, or local differences in disease.
Developing options tailored to be effective for the 3.4 billion people living in poverty and extreme poverty is the responsibility of well-trained cancer teams working at the forefront of science and oncology.
Our goals
Since the Dickey presidency (1945-1970), Dartmouth College has been committed to solving the world's most challenging problems. Currently, Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) teams are leveraging our strength as an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center to impact two areas of global oncology relative to LMICs significantly:
- Research for the prevention and treatment of cancer to benefit patients wherever they are
- Education and capacity building for international faculty
These goals directly relate to DCC's Equity in Rural Cancer Health and Professional Training strategic objective. These objectives are also consistent with the policies and priorities of our partner institution, the Dartmouth Center for Global Health Equity. We do this by focusing on solving linked problems identified with partners in Rwanda, Honduras, Kosovo, and Tanzania. Dartmouth and DCC's commitment to relationship and capacity building has yielded beneficial relationships that make successful research and training possible.
DCC is an emerging leader in global oncology education as a partner with the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the launch of student exchange and subspecialty training programs, including fellowships in Gastroenterology and Medical Oncology fellowship training programs in Rwanda. These fellowships are staffed by international faculty from all over the world.
Our approach
Our determined approach prioritizes evidence-based solutions that can be applied in real-world settings. DCC's nimble interdisciplinary group maximizes opportunities and leverages contacts.
In 2020, we founded the Global Oncology Disparities of Care monthly symposium, which continues to meet monthly on Zoom. In the next three years, we are poised to make substantial contributions to:
- Optimizing adherence to cervical cancer surveillance recommendations in women with HIV
- Testing innovative biomarkers to optimize appropriate treatments for advanced breast cancer
Student programs are advancing research and scientific knowledge of genotypes and other cervical cancer biomarkers in Honduras. The Arctic, Peru, and Haiti are other sites with strong Dartmouth connections.
The international gold standard for global health is achieving equity in health for all people. Collaborations with local philanthropy allow us to sponsor research and thought leaders as visiting Dartmouth Scholars, allowing them to complete their PhD research with access to state-of-the-art Dartmouth Molecular Pathology and other resources.