Miriam Mutebi: Day 3 of WCC2024 focused on women, HIV and cervical cancer

Miriam Mutebi shared a post on LinkedIn:

”Day 3 of the World Cancer Congress 2024 (WCC2024).

Yet again my morning kicked off with a powerful exploration of women, power, and cancer, with a focus on achieving equitable, gender-transformative cancer prevention, care, and control.

Led by the The Lancet commission chair Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, this session raised a startling hard-to-ignore statistic: in Africa, women and girls account for 60% of new HIV infections, which has direct implications for the rise of cervical cancer on the continent.

Data shared by Anna (Ani) Shakarishvili, showed that every three minutes, a girl in Africa contracts HIV, increasing the urgency of linking HIV prevention efforts with cervical cancer care. Yet, despite these alarming numbers, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer remain woefully under-prioritized in many African nations.

A critical challenge discussed was the disparity in HPV vaccine coverage. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 10-11% of girls receive the vaccine, compared to over 70% in high-income countries. This stark difference in prevention access highlights the need for urgent global cooperation and resource mobilization.

The discussion also touched on the importance of grassroots initiatives in the fight against cancer.

A prime example shared was the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), founded by a group of laymen and medical professionals. Since 1956, PCS has worked to help Filipinos cope with cancer through advocacy, prevention, early detection, and palliative care services. Their pioneering efforts in establishing cancer registries, tobacco control, and patient navigation serve as an inspiring blueprint for cancer control efforts worldwide.

As we were reminded, by Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, ‘big acts often begin with small ones’, and the road to equitable cancer care requires bold leadership and community-driven initiatives.

Pictured below in order: Lancet commissioners, Kara from PCS, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) board members, City Cancer Challenges representatives (and a bonus: Women In Cancer all smiles).”

Source: Miriam Mutebi/LinkedIn

Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and past president for Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.