Briefing of the Formosa Cancer Foundation
Taiwan Cancer Facts
Taiwan lies off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia. Between Japan and the Philippines, it’s an island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan's total land area is about 36,000 square kilometers (14,400 square miles). It has a population of 23 million and the population density (647 people per km2) that is the second highest in the world. It's tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate climates provide clear differentiation between the different seasons. Its high-tech industry plays a key role in the global economy. Taiwan is ranked highly in terms of freedom of the press, health care, public education, economic freedom, and human right.
Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan since 1982, and the average age of those diagnosed with cancer is trending downward. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s cancer registry, colon, liver, lung and oral cancer account for more than 1/2 of all cancers in men. Breast, colon and lung cancer account for nearly 1/2 of all cancers in women.
Today, more than 500,000 people are living with cancers. Cancer’s growing threat to the Taiwan is attributable to complex factors, several of which include smoking, dietary changes, lack of physical activities and the prevalent chewing of betel nuts.
About Foundation
Mission
The Formosa Cancer Foundation (FCF) was founded in December 1997 to respond to Taiwan growing cancer crisis. The FCF works to reduce cancer incidence and mortality through public education that focuses on promoting healthy life style, early detection and raising the quality of cancer care and treatment. The Foundation also provides comprehensive services for the survivors to facilitate their optimal recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Award and Honor
The FCF was honored at the highest level with a National Civic Service Award in 2007 – a much appreciated award to recognize the important services that the Foundation and its dedicated team provide. The FCF has also received the “Achievement Excellence" award from the Ministry of Health and Welfare consecutively since 2010.
Leadership
President, Mr. Wang Jin-pyng, is the currently-serving Speaker of the National Legislature. His senior position in the government and public affairs enhances FCF’s voice in national health policymaking as well as in helping the FCF advance core objectives.
Vice President, Dr. Jacqueline Whang Peng, is an internationally respected oncologist and fellow ofTaiwan’s highest academic research organization, the Academia Sinica. Dr. Whang Peng has spearheaded clinical cancer research inTaiwanfor more than two decades. Her receipt of the 2008 L'Oréal-UNESCO award for women in science caps many honors earned over a long and distinguished career. Dr. Whang Peng’s active role in FCF gives the Foundation a strong medical grounding and highly respected credentials in international cancer research circles.
Prevention Program
Nationwide “5-a-Day” campaign
The FCF launched “ 5-a-Day” campaign in 1999 which encourages the general public to eat at least 5 portions of vegetables and fruit a day to lower the cancer risks. FCF further collaborated with the Ministry of Education to promote ” 5-a-Day” program in the elementary schools nationwide since 2003 to help the children begin the cancer preventive diet as early as possible. The program successfully leveraged the influence from children to their family members. Today, “5-a-Day “ recommendations are widely accepted and adopted by the society at large in Taiwan.
“Rainbow of Vegetables and Fruit 5, 7,9”campaign
In 2004, the FCF advocates consuming adequate portions of vegetable and fruits with color variety (so called rainbow principle) for not only reducing the cancer risks but also protecting from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity etc. The campaign recommended children eating 5 portions, women eating 7 portions and men eating 9 portions a day
Health Lifestyle Promotion
The FCF launched the “5 Easy Ways to Keep Cancer Away” Campaign in 2010 to encourage people to carry out 5 easy principles into daily life –such as (1) eat adequate portions of vegetable and fruits and less meat (2) do regular exercise, (3) control body weight, (4) quit smoking and avoid second hand smoke, (5) do regular screening to reduce the risks of cancers as well as other NCDs.
Screening Program
Cervical Cancer Screening Mobile Clinic
The FCF has operated cervical cancer screening mobile clinics since 2000 to provide free pap smear test for women particularly in Taiwan’s remote districts. The mobile clinic offers a comfortable, friendly and safe screening environment aiming to increase the screening rate. The incidence rate of cervical cancer has remarkably fallen from the 2nd to the 7th in the past twenty years since government offered the free pap smear test for the women over age 30 from 1995 and joined efforts with the cancer NGOs to promote the screening programs.
Promoting Screening for Leading Types of Cancers
The FCF holds a series of events to promote the importance of screening and urges the target groups to undergo free screening tests offered by the government such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and oral cancer to detect the cancers earlier and even get the chance to be cured.
Publication and Research
Promotional Materials
The FCF spreads cancer prevention messages out to the general public through an array of brochures and promotional materials. The Foundation has published a series of books addressing cancer prevention and treatment and maintains a highly-informative and interactive website through which the public can access the latest news and information on health-related topics , cancer treatment as well as survivors’ concerned issues.
Survey and Research
The FCF conducts basic and applied surveys addressed issues such as dietary behavior, overweight, lifestyle etc. helps better assess the effects of various factors on cancer prevention, early detection and treatment as well as provide benchmarks for health authorities and policymakers.
The FCF works with the government to hold special training programs for medical staff and to implement cancer-related research projects. Effective coordination and consolidation of domestic and international research data help enhance the standard of cancer care quality and treatment in Taiwan. The Foundation also actively encourages medical professionals and academics to engage in cancer clinical research to pursue higher achievement in the field and to expand international academic exchanges.
Survivors’Services and Care
Survivor Care and Education Center (SCEC)
The Center offers cancer survivors a broad suite of services including psychological counseling, nutritional guidance, financial assistance as well as recovery program covering relaxation therapy, music therapy, horticultural therapy, look good feel better course and courses in stress reduction with the goal to achieve optimal recovery , reduce the risk of recurrence and maintain better quality of life.
Team Approach
The team formed by the oncologist, nurse, nutritionist, social worker and psychologist working together to identify each survivor’s specific problems and needs. After assessment, the team provides the in-priority counseling or courses that meet his or her individual needs. The survivors’ family are also provided the necessary assistance that they can fulfill the role as frontline cancer-survivor supporters. The SCEC uses the Case Management System to record and monitor client’s progress and change in physical, psychologicl and social aspects during participating the recovery program
“Second Home” for Survivors & Their Families.
The Center is a place for cancer survivors to share experiences, concerns and thoughts as well as to inspire one another to enjoy a high quality of life and effectively control the risk of recurrence. More than simply a center for education and support, the FCF “Survivor Care and Education Center” has evolved into a center for survivor empowerment and a “second home” for survivors and their families.
International Cooperation
International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
Since joining the UICC in March 2003, the FCF has maintained a high profile as an active and highly supportive member. FCF participates in the UICC’s biannual World Cancer Congress and has held highly publicized activities to support the theme of World Cancer Day every year since 2006. The FCF also strongly endorse the “World Cancer Declaration” targeting to reduce the premature deaths from cancer, and improve the quality of life and cancer survival rates.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
FCF signed the “International Joint Cancer Declaration” with the ACS in May 2004. The Declaration made the FCF be an international partner of ACS and set up a mechanisms for sharing and exchanging information, experiences and best practices as well as for developing and implementing cooperative programs.
International Exchanges and Cooperation
The FCF has established long-term cooperation relationship with cancer NGOs form Mainland China as well as many other countries to enhance professional exchanges and collaboration as well as upgrade itself to the level at the forefront in cancer research, prevention and treatment.
