Gastric cancer remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in our country4. Surgical resection has been the cornerstone of curative treatment, while the incorporation of new therapeutic modalities, particularly systemic chemotherapy, has contributed to improved patient survival1. Nevertheless, major management challenges persist, including late diagnosis, with nearly half of patients presenting with stage IV disease at diagnosis, limited access to contemporary chemotherapy regimens, and insufficient availability of treatment in specialized centers capable of providing integral, comprehensive multidisciplinary care2,3. The Brazilian Gastric Cancer Association (ABCG), founded in 1999, brings together specialists involved in the treatment of gastric cancer in Brazil, with a strong focus on continuing medical education and professional training4. As part of its activities, the Association organizes an annual scientific meeting. During the 2025 meeting, a “Commitment Letter” was drafted and formally delivered to the Secretary of Health of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Mr. Daniel Ricardo Soranz Pinto, outlining key demands and strategic actions considered necessary to improve gastric cancer outcomes in Brazil. This initiative was the first ABCG’s advocacy effort in this context. In this editorial, we share the contents of this Commitment Letter to broaden awareness within the Brazilian surgical and oncological community. We believe that, in addition to their educational and scientific roles, medical associations should advocate for patients and actively engage with health authorities to support policies that improve cancer care. We hope this initiative is seen as an example to be followed by other national medical societies.
Developed by Surya MKT