UICC's World Cancer Congress kicks off!

UICC’s World Cancer Congress in Geneva, Switzerland kicks off on Tuesday 17 September with an opening keynote by Elisabeth Weiderpass, Director the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and ending with the UICC Awards on Thursday 19 September.

The event gathers over 1,800 cancer professionals, public health officials, civil society representatives, scientists, and individuals with lived experiences. The programme is built around six main themes: prevention, screening, and early detection; research and progress; healthcare systems and policies; treatment and palliative care; tobacco control; and people living with cancer.

These themes encompass a wide range of sessions, studies, and scientific abstracts, including plenary sessions, debates, and panel discussions, which are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of cancer care and research.

The Congress will notably explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics in healthcare, particularly how these technologies enhance diagnostic precision, improve treatment plans, and help reduce disparities in access to care between high- and low-resource settings and for remote or underserved populations.

Another focal point will be the commercial and socioeconomic determinants of health. Various sessions will examine the influence of industries marketing carcinogenic products such as tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food on cancer incidence and outcomes. Strategies to counter these influences through policy interventions will be discussed, such as a session dedicated to monitoring the tobacco industry to provide practical strategies for holding the industry accountable for actions that undermine public health.

There will also be discussions on providing cancer care in crisis situations, with insights from experiences in regions such as Sudan, Gaza, and Haiti. These discussions will emphasise the importance of maintaining comprehensive care during conflicts and disasters.

Looking at the often-overlooked issue of employment post-cancer diagnosis, a session titled "Work after cancer diagnosis" will show how maintaining work can positively impact the wellbeing and financial security of cancer survivors, stressing the importance of supportive health systems in diverse economic and cultural contexts.

By addressing technological innovations, tackling global disparities, and examining socioeconomic factors driving cancer incidence and inequitable care, as well as issues such as antimicrobial resistance or humanitarian crises that affect cancer care and people living with cancer, the World Cancer Congress aims to offer a comprehensive view of the current cancer landscape.

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