Join The Challenge Fund

The Challenge Fund started as an initiative taken by a group of physicians concerned by the rising incidence of cancer in the developing world and the disproportionate availability of information and resources available in the developed world. The European School of Oncology provided financial sponsorship of the initiative. The first formal meeting, held at Djerba, Tunisia, with five experts from different countries, produced the Djerba Statement. The principal components of the statement are as follows:

1. Research in the creation of simple and relevant recommendations to increase cancer awareness among health professionals and the general public;
2. Research in early detection, prevention and treatment in the common cancers, and
3. The definition of appropriate mechanisms to involve all possible partners in developing innovative public health research in cancer.

In January 2001, 80 participants from 17 countries took part in a stimulating interaction in Rome. The next meeting will take place at Abu Dhabi, 15–16 December 2002.

One of the major initiatives of the Challenge Fund has been a breast cancer screening programme in Cairo. In its pilot stage, the program reached 5,000 women who were screened by trained health workers. A larger randomized trial is proposed to correspond to a similar study currently underway in Mumbai. It is expected that other appropriate projects which could be sponsored by the Challenge Fund will emerge from the Abu Dhabi meeting.

To support the Challenge Fund, contact Dr Indraneel Mittra at imittra@vsnl.com.