INTERNATIONAL UNION AGAINST CANCER 17th INTERNATIONAL CANCER CONGRESS Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 23–28, 1998 PRESENTATION OF THE THIRD MUSIO ATHAYDE CANCER PRIZE On Monday 24th of August, the International Union Against Cancer presented the Third Mucio Athayde Can- cer Prize to Dr. Praful B. Desai from India, a surgeon and clinical scientist, in recognition of his many significant contributions to the control and treatment of cancer in India and internationally. The US$150,000 prize is in- tended to allow the laureate to continue his leadership in fighting cancer. The Mucio Athayde Cancer Prize is awarded by the UICC to a scientist who has made a major discovery or significant contribution with global impact to the fight against cancer. The prize-giving ceremony was held at the Vila Riso, at a special evening event of the UICC Roll of Honor of Distinguished Oncologists. The presentation was made by the donor of the prize, Mr. Mucio Athayde, founder of the Instituto Mucio Athayde de Combate ao Cancer. Dr. Desai’s leadership in oncology evolved from a dynamic and innovative approach to the cancer programme at the Tata Memorial Centre, Hospital and Can- cer Research Institute in Mumbai, India. In his functions as Director, Chief Surgeon, Educator and Researcher (1966–1995), he first created a hospital-based cancer reg- istry, computerized medical information systems, a De- partment of Preventive Oncology and Cancer Education, a Department of Professional Education, and a Rehabili- tation Clinic for children cured of cancer. Using the ad- vanced knowledge and therapeutic techniques of a com- prehensive cancer centre, Dr. Desai was then instrumen- tal in expanding preventive oncology and educational activities to rural communities in India through outreach programmes. In 1983, he initiated a programme of com- munity centres in rural Barsi for treatment as well as public and professional education, an effort which was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and which became a national model for India. The use of regional centres and mobile vans have resulted in earlier and improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer in rural areas, and higher rates of survival have been documented for cancer of the cervix and of the head and neck. Dr. Desai’s collaborative efforts have made information about such outreach programmes widely available internationally through the UICC. On the international scene, Dr. Desai has long served health-related organizations, including the WHO and, in particular, the UICC, whose objectives he has helped to meet since 1986 in many capacities, including as member of its Council and Executive Committee, as Programme and Project Chairman, and as Chairman of the 1994 UICC International Cancer Congress held in New Delhi. Journal of Surgical Oncology 1999;71:206 © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

International union against cancer 17th international cancer congress: Presentation of the third musio athayde cancer prize

Download PDF Report

Upload
john-s
View
212
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

INTERNATIONAL UNION AGAINSTCANCER 17th INTERNATIONAL

CANCER CONGRESSRio de Janeiro, BrazilAugust 23–28, 1998

PRESENTATION OF THE THIRD MUSIOATHAYDE CANCER PRIZE

On Monday 24th of August, the International UnionAgainst Cancer presented the Third Mucio Athayde Can-cer Prize to Dr. Praful B. Desai from India, a surgeon andclinical scientist, in recognition of his many significantcontributions to the control and treatment of cancer inIndia and internationally. The US$150,000 prize is in-tended to allow the laureate to continue his leadership infighting cancer. The Mucio Athayde Cancer Prize isawarded by the UICC to a scientist who has made amajor discovery or significant contribution with globalimpact to the fight against cancer.

The prize-giving ceremony was held at the Vila Riso,at a special evening event of the UICC Roll of Honor ofDistinguished Oncologists. The presentation was madeby the donor of the prize, Mr. Mucio Athayde, founder ofthe Instituto Mucio Athayde de Combate ao Cancer.

Dr. Desai’s leadership in oncology evolved from adynamic and innovative approach to the cancer pro-gramme at the Tata Memorial Centre, Hospital and Can-cer Research Institute in Mumbai, India. In his functionsas Director, Chief Surgeon, Educator and Researcher(1966–1995), he first created a hospital-based cancer reg-istry, computerized medical information systems, a De-

partment of Preventive Oncology and Cancer Education,a Department of Professional Education, and a Rehabili-tation Clinic for children cured of cancer. Using the ad-vanced knowledge and therapeutic techniques of a com-prehensive cancer centre, Dr. Desai was then instrumen-tal in expanding preventive oncology and educationalactivities to rural communities in India through outreachprogrammes. In 1983, he initiated a programme of com-munity centres in rural Barsi for treatment as well aspublic and professional education, an effort which wasrecognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)and which became a national model for India. The use ofregional centres and mobile vans have resulted in earlierand improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer in ruralareas, and higher rates of survival have been documentedfor cancer of the cervix and of the head and neck. Dr.Desai’s collaborative efforts have made informationabout such outreach programmes widely available inter-nationally through the UICC.

On the international scene, Dr. Desai has long servedhealth-related organizations, including the WHO and, inparticular, the UICC, whose objectives he has helped tomeet since 1986 in many capacities, including as memberof its Council and Executive Committee, as Programmeand Project Chairman, and as Chairman of the 1994UICC International Cancer Congress held in New Delhi.

Journal of Surgical Oncology 1999;71:206