2024 Programme Committee & Themes

Attendees listening to a session in the plenary at the World Cancer Congress 2022

The programme has been built across six themes and is overseen by a group of influential international experts.

The six themes provide the framework through which the global cancer community are invited to deliver a suite of innovative and interactive sessions, covering the full spectrum of cancer control. A number of threads cutting across the six themes have been identified, including equity, patient perspective, leadership and sustainable impact. 

 

EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME LEADS 

The World Cancer Congress 2024 programme was led by Kate Allen, Wil Ngwa and Olivier Michelin.

Kate Allen

KATE ALLEN

Science and Policy Advisor at the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI), United Kingdom
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Wil Ngwa

WIL NGWA

Director of the Global Health Catalyst and chair of the Lancet Commission on cancer in sub-Saharan Africa
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Olivier Michielin

OLIVIER MICHIELIN

Chief of the Oncology department, University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Switzerland
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2024 World Cancer Congress Theme CO-CHAIRS

 

1. PREVENTION, screening & early detection

Todd Harper
Todd Harper
Cancer Council Victoria, Australia

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David Crosby
David Crosby
Cancer Research UK, United Kingdom

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The programme in this theme will explore primary prevention, including major risk factors, health promotion, examples of best practices in new evidence-based prevention strategies, and vaccines. Exposure to environmental risk factors and unhealthy environments will be included, as well as new areas of development in policy, programme management, communications, and education.

Theme topics

 

2. cancer research & Progress 

Lisa Stevens
Lisa Stevens
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

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Julie Gralow
Julie Gralow
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), United States

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The programme in this theme will be curated to highlight recent scientific and clinical advances in aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery. What lessons were learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and what research was done to help cancer health systems regain lost ground and strengthen provision to address the cancer burden in the future? What practices were implemented during the pandemic and what evidence was collected to support modifying the delivery of care? What new modalities or treatment algorithms were proven to have greater efficacy or effectiveness and could have an enduring legacy to overcome inequalities and inequities in cancer care. Topics in these sessions will showcase scientific, translational, clinical, and technological advancements alongside Implementation science and behavioural research.

Theme topics

 

3. healthcare systems & policies

Eduardo Pisani
Eduardo Pisani
All.Can, Belgium

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Isabelle Soerjomataram
Isabelle Soerjomataram
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

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This theme adds value by channeling intellectual effort, collaborations, access to shared resources to stimulate dialogue about implementing global commitments at a national level, as well as strengthen national, regional and local health systems and guiding quality improvement across different aspects of sustainable development, policy and planning, infrastructure, measurement, reporting and performance.

Theme topics

 

4. cancer treatment & palliative care

Emmanuel Luyirika
Emmanuel Luyirika
African Palliative Care Association (APCA), Uganda 

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Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo
Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, United States
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This theme will examine novel interventions to support patient engagement and survivorship in a variety of cancer care delivery settings. It focuses on patient experience and quality of outcome, exploring patient and family engagement, wrestles with rights and expectations of cancer patients and their families and the challenges of access, fairness and consistency of experience and care. It will explore the role of complimentary therapies, identify experiences with alternative treatments and invite challenging discussions about balance of investment and patient power. It invites exploration of measurement issues, prioritisation of service delivery, communication skills of health care professionals, and tools to drive health care facility culture and survivorship. Fundamental questions around palliative care, pain relief and end-of-life issues will be discussed.

Theme topics

 

 

5. tobacco control

Yolonda Richardson
Yolonda Richardson
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, United States

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Loïc Josseran
Loïc Josseran
Alliance contre le tabac, France

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This Theme will examine the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its guidelines, providing the foundation for countries to implement and manage tobacco control.

Theme topics

 

6. people living with cancer

Rana Ghafary
Rana Ghafary
King Hussein Cancer Centre, Jordan
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Alexandra Núñez.png
Alexandra Núñez
Unidos Contra el Cáncer CR, Costa Rica

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This Theme aims to integrate patient voices through experiences and best practice sharing. Here we examine the critical role of patient support programmes and the organisation of patient support groups. This includes the specific challenges met in developing and maintaining activities for patients, their relatives and caregivers.

Theme topics

Theme 6 is proudly supported by La Roche-Posay

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ABSTRACT COMMITTEE

The 2024 World Cancer Congress Abstract programme was led by Prof. David Hill, Prof David Collingridge and Dr Sonali Johnson.

David Hill

 

David Hill

Professor David Hill PhD, MD (hon), DSc (hon) is a behavioural scientist who served as CEO of the Cancer Council Victoria (Australia) from 2002 to 2011, and as President of UICC from 2008 to 2010.
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David Collingridge

David Collingridge

Dr David Collingridge is the Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet Oncology and the Publishing Director for The Lancet’s journals.

 

 

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Sonali Johnson

Sonali Johnson

Sonali Johnson is Head of Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy at the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

 

 

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2024 World Cancer Congress ABSTRACT COMMITTEE Theme CO-CHAIRS

 

1. PREVENTION, screening & early detection

Suzette Delaloge
Suzette Delaloge
Cancer Interception Programme, France

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Antoine Flahault.png
Antoine Flahault
Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Switzerland

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2. cancer research & Progress 

Jesper Bonde
Jesper Bonde
Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark 

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Gevorg Tamamyan
Gevorg Tamamyan
Immune Oncology Research Institute, Armenia

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3. healthcare systems & policies

Kate_Meerkerk
Kate Meerkerk
Te Whatu Ora, New Zealand

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Lorna_Renner
Lorna Renner
Universty of Ghana Medical School, Ghana

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4. cancer treatment & palliative care

Amanda_Drury
Amanda Drury
Dublin City University, Ireland 

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Maira Caleffi
Maira Caleffi
FEMAMA, Brazil
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5. tobacco control

Murallitharan_Munisamy
Murallitharan Munisamy
National Cancer Society, Malaysia

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Lilia_Olefir
Lilia Olefir
Smoke-Free Partnership, Belgium

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6. people living with cancer

Karen_Nakawala
Karen Nakawala
Teal Sisters, Zambia
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Antonella Cardone
Antonella Cardone
Cancer Patients Europe, Belgium

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ABSTRACT REVIEWERS

UICC is grateful to the team of volunteer abstract reviewers from around the world who have given their time to review and score abstract submissions for World Cancer Congress 2024.

23 September 2024