Robin Schaffar, an epidemiologist at the Geneva Cancer Registry (RGT) at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, will lead two important research projects. The first, supported by the , will help understand, on a national scale, the long-term impact of cancer on those who have suffered from it, including their healthcare needs, survival rates, socio-professional and financial challenges. The second project, supported by the , will focus on the cancer risks and care, in the canton of Geneva, of incarcerated individuals or those who have been incarcerated, a particularly vulnerable population for which there is little scientific data.
Challenges and stigma after cancer
Significant advances in cancer treatments have allowed an increasing number of people to survive the disease. However, many long-term challenges remain, whether medical—such as the risk of disease recurrence or the overall impact on health — or socio-economic.
This project will generate robust scientific data to potentially guide healthcare planning and the development of public policies taking into account the specificities of this population. Additionally, comparing the mortality risk of cancer survivors with that of the general population will help determine when the risks of death become comparable, thus when survivors can be considered cured. These data are essential with regard to current discussions on the adoption of the "right to be forgotten" in the Swiss legislation, which aims to limit the unfair discrimination from which people who had cancer suffer, for example when concluding insurance or financial contracts. Studies on the direct experiences of survivors will also be conducted in collaboration with patient societies. "“This project will be led by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in cancer epidemiology, clinical oncology, public health, and patient advocacy. This combination of perspectives will ensure that all factors — medical, social, and economic — that shape life after cancer are fully considered,” explains Robin Schaffar.
Cancer risk and prognosis among individuals with a history of incarceration in Geneva
Individuals with a history of incarceration often face serious health challenges, including an increased risk of diseases like cancer. However, few scientific studies have been conducted on this particularly vulnerable population in Switzerland. This project, conducted with the Division of Penitentiary Medicine at the HUG, aims to study cancer rates, mortality, and survival among individuals in Geneva who have been or are incarcerated, compared with the general population. Additionally, the impact of the duration of incarceration on health will be analysed.
Better understanding the link between incarceration and cancer will help identify gaps in health promotion and healthcare for this vulnerable group and allow for the adjustment of health policies to ensure these individuals benefit from adequate prevention, screening, and appropriate care.
Robin Schaffar is an epidemiologist at the Geneva Tumour Registry. He holds a master's degree in public health and a PhD in epidemiology and has been conducting research on cancer and its public health implications for over 15 years, leveraging population data from tumour registries. His work aims to transform registry data into useful knowledge for patients, healthcare professionals, as well as politicians and decision-makers.
