What is the role of common sense oncology in the Western Pacific?

Abstract

Established in 2023, Common Sense Oncology (CSO) is a grass roots initiative uniting cancer clinicians, policymakers, academics, patients and their advocates that calls for a ‘recalibration’ of cancer care to focus on outcomes that matter to patients. CSO emphasises treatments that substantially improve survival and quality of life, and advocates for equitable global access to effective cancer therapies. This article examines the potential of CSO principles to improve cancer care in the Western Pacific, a geographically and culturally diverse region that shoulders one-third of the global cancer burden. We review early progress of CSO working groups and identify regional challenges, such as engaging diverse membership, fostering local change, and evaluating impact. Unique regional strengths, such as longstanding cooperative trial group and China's growing influence in global drug development, are highlighted.