A Patient Advocacy Group Summit, Cancer Care in Turkey and The Society of Breast Health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer now causes more deaths than all cardiac or all other diseases (1). The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next 2 decades. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer, and approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in lowand middle-income countries (2). There is a significant disparity in cancer care and outcome of cancer patient results between developed and developing countries. The most important aims of cancer management are prevention, screening, early detection, and effective treatment. In addition to the health care system, patients are the most important stakeholders of cancer care. Patient advocacy groups (PAG) are non-profit, non-governmental (NGO) organizations, and they may play an important role to acquire and protect patients’ rights for better cancer management. PAGs can incorporate cancer scientists in a way similar to The Society of Breast Health to perform basic, reliable, and reasonable clinical projects based on the economic, socio-cultural and educational structure of a country. The number of PAGs should be increased and representatives of them should be participated in governmental organizations (such as National cancer Advisory Board, National Cancer Institute, etc.) to advocate and acquire their rights. Their participation absolutely provides integrity in health care systems.