The 2012 World Cancer Congress attracted nearly 2,000 delegates representing 115 countries. The regional spread of participants was observed as follows:

• 51% North America
• 21% Asia and Pacific
• 15 % Europe
• 7% Africa
• 5% Latin America
• 1% Middle East

23% of UICC Member organisations travelled to Montréal to participate in the largest cancer control event in the world, which gave them the unique opportunity to meet, network, share their experiences and connect for a global impact.

An online questionnaire was distributed after the event to all delegates, and a majority of the respondents, nearly 70%, admitted that listening to experts was one of the most important reasons for them to attend the World Cancer Congress. The second most important reason to take part was networking, followed by the opportunity to learn best practices.

Delegates shared some of their highlights which included the enthralling plenary lectures that opened each Congress day, and featured amongst other cancer experts: Dr Elizabeth Blackburn, a 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine, Dr Chris Wild, Director of IARC, Mr Lance Armstrong, Founder and Chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, HRH Princess Dina Mired, Director General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation in Jordan, Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus of the PanAmerican Health Organization and Dr John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society.

Based on the questionnaire responses, some of the most memorable topics addressed in sessions included sexuality and cancer, plain packaging of cigarettes, financial support through corporate partnerships, social media, cancer survivorship, health systems, risk factors such as alcohol and obesity, HPV vaccination, the film screening “Life Before Death”, personalised medicine, and much more.

UICC members will soon be able to view all Congress presentations on www.worldcancercongress.org as well as view the video footage of the plenary lectures.

A large number of social events were organised throughout the week, giving participants the opportunity to network in different settings and venues throughout the lively city of Montréal. Some of the evening events included the President’s cocktail for all UICC Members, the Congress Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception, the American Cancer Society Dinner featuring a touching Global Relay For Life Luminaria Ceremony, the breathtaking concert given at the Basilica Notre Dame, a discussion panel hosted by global cancer control advocate Lance Armstrong and finally the Closing Cocktail to thank all Congress committees, partners, sponsors and exhibitors.

The Global Village, which hosted the vibrant international exhibition, e-poster presentations and interactive sessions proved to be a real networking hub where the buzz never ceased. All interactive sessions in the Global Village showed full capacity during their presentations, and lunchtime activities were a “must attend”. Meanwhile the UICC stand hosted “regional UICC member meetings” to increase connections amongst members.

Keep an eye on the Congress website worldcancercongress.org in the coming weeks for official photos, session reports, videos, interviews, and much more. The UICC Congress Team would love to hear from your experiences at the World Cancer Congress, as well as see your photos, so thank you for sending them to congress@uicc.org.