Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the annual Quad summit with leaders of Australia, Japan and the US in Delaware, US on Saturday.

Apart from issues such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, maritime security, and climate and clean energy, the leaders will also discuss Joe Biden’s ambitious project – the Cancer Moonshot initiative.

What is the Cancer Moonshot Initiative?

The Cancer Moonshot, funded by the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, focuses on areas of cancer research that have the most potential to benefit patients through new investments.

The initiative unites patients, advocates, researchers, and doctors to work together to advance research to improve the lives of cancer patients, those at risk, and their families. Its goal is to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

Joe Biden inaugurated the initiative when he was vice president during Obama’s presidency, after his son Beau Biden died of an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma.

This initiative focuses on these key areas to reduce the burden of the disease.

What is the 6th Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative?

According to a New York Times report, the Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative is a program that will focus on expanding cervical cancer prevention measures, increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, which targets the primary cause of cervical cancer, and improving patient treatment options.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina).

It is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). Early detection through screening significantly improves treatment outcomes. It is a highly preventable and treatable disease if detected in time.

Despite this, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer in women globally.

In 2020, WHO launched a global strategy aimed at eliminating cervical cancer. The plan sets ambitious targets, including a goal of vaccinating 90% of girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) by the age of 15.

HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and widespread vaccination could significantly reduce the incidence of this disease.

In 2021, just five months into his presidency, Biden announced a new partnership with Japan, India, and Australia to expand global vaccine manufacturing capacity. Biden’s Cancer Moonshot aims to “end cancer as we know it.”

The President and First Lady announced plans to relaunch the initiative and set a goal of reducing cancer mortality by 50% over the next 25 years.

In June, US First Lady Jill Biden announced a five-year commitment with Gavi, an international organisation that works to expand access to vaccines, and will support the effort, which will cost more than $1.58 billion.

Australia aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, potentially becoming the first country to do so. It is also leading efforts to reduce the disease in the region.

The Quad Cancer Initiative, led by US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, will advance Australia’s progress in fighting cervical cancer.

In September 2022, Biden discussed the initiative at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, marking the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s historic “moonshot” speech on space exploration.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2024 encouraged vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 years to prevent cervical cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, clinical trials are the way new ways to prevent, screen and treat cancer are evaluated, and they are a fundamental part of developing cancer drugs and devices and getting them to patients.

How will India benefit from the Cancer Moonshot programme?

While India is in the midst of a growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, the Cancer Moonshot initiative will help advance cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment through the US-India Cancer Dialogue.

Non-communicable diseases, including cancer, account for 63% of deaths in India. By 2025, cancer cases in the country are estimated to increase by about 13% compared to 2020. Moreover, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.

In August, the US Embassy in New Delhi hosted the first US-India Cancer Moonshot Dialogue, which focused on research collaboration and innovation. US Ambassador Eric Garcetti highlighted the importance of partnerships in promoting a healthier future through shared values ​​and joint action.

According to a US Embassy statement, the US-India Cancer Moonshot Dialogue aims to advance collaboration on AI-driven innovation for cancer care, novel treatments such as vaccines and immunotherapy, and cost-effective, equitable treatment options.

It will also focus on precision medicine, cancer genomics, regulatory framework for clinical trials, and capacity building.

The sixth Quad summit brings together India, Australia, Japan and the United States. PM Modi will be joined by US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday.

India will host the next Quad summit.