Asem Mansour, Director General and CEO of King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Jordan, has been named a candidate for UICC President-elect for the 2026–2028 term.
A physician executive, board-certified radiologist, and global cancer leader, Dr Mansour has dedicated his career to strengthening cancer systems, expanding access to care, and advancing innovation in resource-constrained settings.
The new UICC President-elect will be elected by UICC full-member organisations as part of the 2026 UICC General Assembly, which will take place virtually on October 20, 2026.
Electronic voting will open on October 13, 2026, and close during the General Assembly on October 20.
UICC President-elect Election 2026: Meet the Candidates
Asem Mansour’s Leadership in Cancer Care
Based in Amman, Jordan, Dr Mansour serves as Director General and CEO of King Hussein Cancer Center, a leading regional cancer institution providing adult and paediatric cancer care.
He holds an MD from Vitebsk Medical Institute, completed neuroradiology training, earned a Master of Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and holds Certified Physician Executive credentials.
Under his leadership, KHCC has expanded into a comprehensive cancer centre managing more than 29,000 active cancer cases annually. The institution has doubled Jordan’s cancer-care capacity and extended services through three satellite centres.
During his tenure, KHCC has introduced advanced cancer care programmes, including bone marrow transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy, robotic surgery, precision medicine, genomic research, and artificial intelligence initiatives.
Dr Mansour has also supported the growth of cancer research capacity in Jordan, increased international collaborations, and contributed to more than 120 scientific publications focused on cancer care, health systems, and outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Asem Mansour Recognized Among The 100 Most Influential CEOs in Oncology in 2025
Advancing Equitable Cancer Care in the Region
A major focus of Dr Mansour’s work has been addressing cancer inequalities affecting patients in Jordan and the wider region, including those impacted by displacement, conflict, and limited healthcare resources.
As Executive Chairman of the Jordan Breast Cancer Programme, he has supported national efforts in breast cancer awareness, early detection, and access to care.
He also serves as a UICC Board Member and Commissioner for The Lancet Commission on Cancer and Health Systems, contributing to global discussions on cancer policy, health systems strengthening, and equity.
Why Asem Mansour Is Running for UICC President
In his candidate statement, Dr Mansour highlighted his commitment to addressing the global gap between what is possible in cancer care and what patients can actually access.
Reflecting on his experience leading KHCC, he said:
“I have spent much of my professional life working to challenge one unacceptable reality: that a person’s chance of surviving cancer is still too often shaped by where they live, what resources are available around them, and whether their health system can provide timely diagnosis and treatment.”
Dr Mansour said his leadership experience in Jordan has shown that high-quality cancer care and innovation can be developed beyond high-income healthcare systems when supported by strong partnerships and commitment.
“Our experience has shown that high-quality care, research, training, and innovation are not the privilege of wealthy health systems alone; with the right leadership, partnerships, and commitment, they can be built and sustained in settings like ours.”
As a UICC Board Member since 2022, he highlighted the importance of working closely with members across regions and ensuring that UICC remains responsive to the needs of the global cancer community.
Vision for the Future of UICC
If elected President, Dr Mansour said he would focus on strengthening cancer systems, expanding prevention and early detection, supporting research and training, and ensuring that innovation reaches communities beyond the most privileged settings.
He emphasised the importance of practical approaches to equity, including improving access to treatment, strengthening workforce capacity, and supporting cancer programmes in countries facing resource limitations.
“Equity must be more than a principle; it must be reflected in earlier diagnosis, better access to treatment, stronger palliative care, trained professionals, reliable data, and research that is relevant to each setting.”
Dr Mansour also highlighted the importance of ensuring that voices from regions with growing cancer burdens are represented in global cancer leadership.
“My focus would be simple: to help UICC strengthen cancer systems, reduce unfair gaps in care, and give more people, wherever they live, a fair chance.”
Watch Dr Asem Mansour’s video message outlining his experience, priorities, and vision as a candidate for UICC President-elect for the 2026–2028 term.
UICC President-elect Election 2026
The 2026 UICC election will determine the organisation’s next President-elect and Board leadership for the 2026–2028 term.
UICC full-member organisations will vote during the virtual General Assembly on October 20, 2026, following the opening of electronic voting on October 13.
The elected leadership will guide UICC’s efforts to advance cancer prevention, strengthen health systems, improve access to care, and support collaboration across the global cancer community.
Read further on OncoDaily: Gilberto Lopes Named Candidate for UICC President-elect 2026–2028
