The Third International Forum of Oncology and Radiology was highly appreciated by the professional community and the country’s leadership

On September 22, 2020, the opening ceremony of the Third International Forum of Oncology and Radiology took place.  Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the forum participants, who highly appreciated the work of the oncology service, which “adequately copes with new challenges, maintains its effectiveness.” The President also noted the importance of holding such events: “I am sure that your forum, which brought together well-known scientists, doctors, healthcare organizers from Russia and a number of foreign countries in an online format, will facilitate the exchange of best practices and practices, the development of new approaches to solving urgent problems in the fight against cancer.”

According to Andrey Kaprin, Director General of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the uniqueness of the forum, which in 2020 is held almost entirely in the on-line format, is that it attracts the attention of not only specialists of the professional community, but also experts in related industries, as well as representatives of legislative, executive, health authorities, the general public the public. “Thanks to the new format, it was possible to gather more than four thousand specialists from all over the world on one site. By organizing the Third Forum in the face of the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have preserved all the established traditions that are associated with the interdisciplinary nature of our event.” He also recalled that the treatment and prevention of oncological diseases requires the consolidation of knowledge, strength, and resources accumulated in various fields of medicine, science, and technology. “Oncologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, resuscitators, chemotherapists, surgeons of various profiles and doctors of many other specialties have been working together for a long time. And a significant role in the formation and building of these interdisciplinary ties belongs to such large-scale innovative platforms as our forum.”

The opening ceremony was attended by: Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Evgeny Kamkin, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Nino Berdzuli, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Chekhonin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the Russian Academy of Education Yuri Zinchenko, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Dmitry Morozov and other honored guests. Welcoming addresses to the participants and organizers of the forum were sent by: Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, Minister of Health of Russia Mikhail Murashko, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Galina Karelova, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Head of Roszdravnadzor Alla Samoilova, heads of cancer services of CIS countries and others. The ceremony was moderated by the editor-in-chief of the Doctor TV channel, the famous Russian journalist Evelina Zakamskaya.

– In the modern world, oncological diseases remain one of the main problems in the field of healthcare and the health of the nation, – says the welcoming speech of the Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko, which was presented by Yevgeny Kamkin. The Minister recalled that since 2019, a national program to combat oncological diseases has been implemented in our country. For its implementation, the state allocated more than 200 billion rubles in 2019, including an additional 70 billion rubles. to increase the availability of drug therapy, and more than 271 billion rubles in 2020. “These funds were used to help more than 2.5 million patients. Also, regional programs have been developed and approved in 85 subjects of the Russian Federation, including a set of measures for early prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases. 140 outpatient care centers were organized, 57 more outpatient care centers were opened on September 1, 2020,” the greeting reads. “An important direction was the renewal of the material and technical base, more than 175 regional organizations participated in the re-equipment program. More than 4.5 thousand units of medical equipment were purchased in 2019, and the same number is planned to be purchased this year. Modern clinical guidelines have been developed and approved,” it says. The document also emphasizes that “already today, thanks to the measures taken, we are seeing the first results. Thus, mortality this year for the period January — July from malignant neoplasms decreased by 5% compared to the same period last year, there is a decrease in one-year mortality.”

Dmitry Morozov noted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases. “The problems of oncology, pediatric oncology, hematology require special attention. And our common task is for professionals, legislative and executive authorities to ensure that none of the problems remain on the periphery of our solutions.”  He also drew the attention of the participants to non–regulatory legal acts in the field of healthcare that were adopted in 2019: “this is the law on clinical recommendations, the law on incentive payments to primary care physicians for the diagnosis of early oncological pathology, a number of laws that relate to the motivation of citizens and employers to undergo medical examinations and preventive examinations, the law on palliative care, which is innovative for the whole world practice.” “Dear colleagues, I am very happy for your community, which has received the historical support of the country’s leadership and society as a whole: they trust you, they believe you!”.

Nino Berdzuli noted that the WHO approach to cancer problems involves 4 main aspects: prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and palliative care.” According to her, cancer prevention requires a multidisciplinary and coordinated approach. “We know that at least a third of cancer cases are preventable by reducing tobacco, alcohol consumption, HPV and hepatitis B vaccination. Tobacco and alcohol are the most significant risk factors. Other negative factors include obesity, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.” Ms. Berdzuli stressed that Russia’s experience in the fight against cancer is very useful for the European community.

During the opening ceremony, experts have repeatedly noted the importance of holding this forum for the entire professional community of oncologists, especially when the whole world and the healthcare system is going through the hardest test of a pandemic. Within the framework of the forum, which takes place from September 21 to 25, 2020, more than 30 thematic congresses and events are planned, including the plenum of the Board of the Association of Oncologists of Russia, the anniversary session of the Association of Directors of Institutes of Oncology and Radiology of the CIS and Eurasia, the First All-Russian Oncological and Urological School, surgical and endoscopic workshops, the congress of the Association of Organizers healthcare in oncology, Cancer Registry School and much more. Participants receive round-the-clock online access to the materials of the Forum.

Press Service of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia