The IGCS global curriculum mentorship and training program: Building human capacity for gynecologic cancer treatment and research where the need is greatest

Abstract

Women living in low-and middle-income countries lack access to timely diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers. Deaths from ovarian and uterine cancers are comparable to those in high-income countries while 88% of deaths from cervical cancer occur in low-and middleincome countries. Doctors, nurses, and allied medical professionals are in short supply and opportunities for training in cancer care are limited. Those who train in high-income countries may fnd few opportunities in their home country or region, leading to medical 'brain drain', or 'human capital?ight', in which highly educated and talented individuals from low-resource countries emigrate in search of personal or professional advancement. Training in high-income countries, furthermore, might not best prepare a provider to deliver cancer care in resource-limited settings.