A Farewell Note From The Editor

After 10 wonderful years in the East, based in Hong Kong, the Editor-in-Chief is leaving to return to the UK. As noted several times in these pages, the burden of cancer is going to rise dramatically across Asia throughout this new century and the resources will in no way be commensurate with the size of the problem. Oncologists and those concerned with oncological aspects of public health will have to develop their own strategies for dealing with the increasing patient load, increasingly expensive drugs, higher patient expectations, and the persisting problem of delivering good terminal care in countries where access to potent analgesics is limited. Asia will not be able to rely on the West to undertake research that is relevant to the peculiar challenges of its own populations so concerted action will be a priority.

It is hoped that Oncology Forum will indeed continue to act as a true 'forum' for all those working in areas related to oncology around Asia, where the points mentioned above can receive a wide airing. I wish Oncology Forum well under the new management of Dr Anthony Chan who will take over from me as editor and would like to sincerely acknowledge the devoted work of the editorial managers, Ms Mary Smith and Mr Neville Lobo, during the past 6 years.

Professor Philip J Johnson
Editor-in-Chief