UICC Launches ‘Rewriting Cancer’ Film Series at World Cancer Congress, Highlighting Innovation and Hope

Hyderabad – October 09, 2024 – Riding off the “Top Innovator 2024” award by the World Economic Forum, UE LifeSciences, a global MedTech company revolutionizing breast cancer detection with accessible and affordable solutions, showcased its impactful work in India with a feature in “Rewriting Cancer,” a compelling film series unveiled by the UICC (Union for International Cancer Control) at the prestigious World Cancer Congress held between September 17-19, 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Presented by UICC and produced for them by BBC StoryWorks, the film showcases the transformative power of early detection and highlights the company’s successful collaboration with the Government of Goa in improving breast healthcare access. The series highlights UE LifeSciences’ groundbreaking iBreastExam technology through the emotional journey of Asha, a breast cancer survivor from Goa. Saved by early detection through the Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa Project, Asha’s story exemplifies the life-saving potential of this handheld, radiation-free device.

“I am delighted to our YouWeCan foundation’s Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa project, be underlined on a global stage like the World Cancer Congress by UICC. With 110,000 scans conducted, we are working towards a brighter future for accessible early detection for all. We’d like to thank our partners, namely the Government of Goa, UE LifeSciences and SBI Foundation for helping us reach this landmark goal,” shared Yuvraj Singh, former Indian international cricketer and founder of the YouWeCan Foundation, an NGO dedicated to Cancer awareness.

“It’s with great pride that we showcase the Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa project’s success amplified on a global stage like the WCC, with the feature produced for us by BBC StoryWorks. The initiative has given a tremendous boost to women’s health in Goa. I believe that such a project should be implemented nationwide, to ensure women’s health is at a priority,” shared Shri Vishwajit Rane, Minister of Health, Government of Goa.

Breast cancer is a global threat, with millions lacking access to early detection. Traditional mammograms are limited for women under 40 and for women with dense breast tissues, and hence are a challenge for not just women in LMICs, but even in HICs. The iBreastExam, UE LifeSciences’ FDA-approved device offers a painless, radiation-free solution – demonstrating 23% higher sensitivity and 9% higher specificity than traditional methods worldwide, with over 380,000 scans performed across India (spanning two generations of the device).

At the WCC, UE LifeSciences also hosted an engaging panel discussion titled “Navigating Early Detection Disparities: A Hope for Women Everywhere”. Moderated by Dr. Ari D Brooks, MD MS Ed. of UE LifeSciences (United States), the session hosted a distinguished panel of experts who shared their insights and experiences, including Maimah Karmo, Founder and CEO of the Tigerlily Foundation (United States); Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy, Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia; Dr. Arnold M. Baskies, MD, Past Chair of the American Cancer Society (United States); and Jyoti Patel, Nurse Manager at Tata Memorial Hospital (India). By uniting diverse global thought leaders, these experts underscored the broad benefits of early detection for women, healthcare providers, policymakers, and medical technology. During the session, the panelists stressed the urgent need for accessible and equitable cancer care, particularly for women in underserved communities.

Dr Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) said: “Cancer is a global challenge that requires innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. The ‘Rewriting Cancer’ series produced by BBC StoryWorks for UICC highlights the incredible work being done to change the narrative around cancer. It showcases the resilience of patients, the dedication of researchers, and the commitment of organizations, including UICC partners and members, to improve cancer care and outcomes worldwide.”