World Cancer Congress only a few days away

UICC’s World Cancer Congress on 18-20 October is rapidly approaching and UICC is finalising preparations to welcome over 1,700 delegates from 120 countries at the International Conference Center in Geneva – with hundreds more joining remotely from around the world. It is still possible to register for onsite and digital attendance.

There are a host of sessions on a wide range to topics, not only covering the full spectrum of cancer control – from awareness raising and prevention to supportive care and survivorship – but also on important health issues that concern the cancer community. The programme will also feature some 295 abstract-led sessions showcasing implementation science, which will be presented in rapid-fire sessions.

Highlights of the World Cancer Congress sessions

Generational ban on tobacco: New Zealand has pioneered new legislation aimed at making the next generation “smoke-free” by prohibiting anyone born after 2008 from buying tobacco products in their lifetime. 

Discussion on promising breakthroughs: vaccines, multicancer screening, precision interception and prevention, immunotherapy, artificial intelligence. What current innovations are helping to improve care in low-income settings and close the equity gap?

Regional cancer control strategies to reduce mortality: What are regionally relevant approaches that can be taken to try to reduce the burden of cancer considering available resources ?

Cancer Care in times of uncertainty, conflict and war: The challenges of delivering care in zones of unrest and to refugees, with testimonies from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Latin America and Ukraine. See relevant sessions.

Improving access to cancer medicines in low-income regions: To do requires increasing the capacity for diagnosing cancer and for the proper handling and supply monitoring of these medicines, strengthening health systems and training workforce, as well as improving the affordability of medicines. 

The threat of antimicrobial resistance for cancer patients: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) or drug resistance, including antibiotic resistance, is a growing public health issue and needs urgent attention in countries around the world. AMR also undermines key advances being made in cancer care by adversely affecting cancer treatment outcomes and threatening the survival of people living with cancer.  

The right to assisted dying: Should medical aid in dying be available to cancer patients as part of palliative or supportive care? Under what circumstances? Ethical considerations and a look at countries where it is currently legal.

A digital, on-demand programme will be available for remote as well as onsite participants