Insight

Fatima Dambatta: World Cancer Congress PART 1

Photo taken from Fatima Dambatta/LinkedIn

Sep 27, 2024, 15:08

Fatima Dambatta: World Cancer Congress PART 1

Fatima Dambatta, Medical Programs Manager at Medicaid Cancer Foundation, shared on LinkedIn:

“World Cancer Congress (PART 1)

The World Cancer Congress is an event organized by the Union for International Cancer Control which takes place every two years, it brings together cancer advocates, oncologists, researchers, and other stakeholders in cancer control to share ideas and innovation, discuss best practices, and forge formidable partnerships.

I had a lot of excitement in the lead-up to my first-ever WCC (hopefully the first of many) and I am happy to say it exceeded expectations, so many brilliant minds and a lot to learn in a few short days, and I will definitely be re-watching the recorded sessions on the UICC congress app.

In the session on addressing disparities in childhood cancer, Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu provided a broad picture of the realities faced not just by children affected by cancer, but also by the social and economic effects on their families and highlighted the need to advocate for better systems and policies and a strengthened, better-compensated healthcare workforce (emphasis!).

Some initial stand-out sessions for me were:

1) On the partnerships and policies for accelerating Hpv vaccination uptake, where we got to hear from different countries about their work in improving HPV vaccination and cervical screening programs through collaborations with CHWs, Gynecologists, Paediatricians, and patient advocate groups.

There was also a solid argument for gender-neutral vaccination in a bid to promote vaccine positivity and squash myths and misconceptions. While I am on board with the argument, I worry about the possibility and the availability of resources in Nigeria, there is still a lot of work to be done

2) The closed event by Roche on enhancing health system responses and partnership for breast cancer equity and accountability in Africa, highlighting the importance of multi sectorial partnerships, change is not a one man job.

The icing on the cake was of course viewing my abstract on the work we do in breast cancer awareness and advocacy for screening at Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and as I “jokingly” but with all seriousness told my colleague, I plan to be back with an abstract that takes me on the stage to receive a best abstract award.

Two key learnings:

1. Data is and will always be king!

2. Partnerships and collaborations are non-negotiable, we simply have to work together if we are to move and take advantage of each other’s strengths if we are to move further.”

Fatima Dambatta