Upstate researcher invited to attend Lance Armstrong's Global Cancer Summit

SYRACUSE, N.Y. —Timothy Dye, Ph.D., professor of public health and preventive medicine at Upstate Medical University, has been invited to attend the first Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 24 to 26. The invitation-only summit is the landmark event of Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Global Cancer Campaign.

Summit organizers say the event is unprecedented in that it will bring together experts, world leaders, corporations and advocates to address ways to fight cancer globally.

Dye's invitation to the summit reflects his status as a leading researcher on the disease, especially as it relates to the stigma of cancer in developing countries.

In his work in the African nation of Ethopia, Dye found that the stigma of breast cancer for women is such that they may be chased away from their village or "kicked out of their family."

"In developing countries, often the diagnosis of cancer is a death sentence, because basic cancer care and treatments are not always available," Dye said. "But we know the survival rates for cancer can be very good when there is an early diagnosis and the right care and treatment are available."

Dye's global health classes continue to work on various projects for the foundation on issues related to the stigma of cancer.

Dye has high hopes for the global cancer summit.

"The opportunity for world leaders, health officials and researchers from all across the globe to gather to discuss the global fight against cancer will bring great benefit," he said. "I'm interested in learning more about how academic medical institutions such as Upstate Medical University, can partner with peer institutions in other countries to promote cancer screenings, improve access to care and ultimately save lives."

According to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, cancer kills more people every year than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. It is estimated that cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2010. Currently it is estimated that 28 million people are living with cancer around the globe.