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AORTIC 2025 WORKING PROGRAMME - Hammamet, Tunisia: 2 - 5 November 2025
Legends CONCURRENT SESSION
KEYNOTE SESSION
ABSTRACT SESSION
INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM
07:00 – 08:30  
08:30 – 09:30

AFRICAN ONCOGENETICS NETWORK
(Supported by Dana Farber)

Facilitators: Timothy Rebbeck (USA) & Yosr Hamdi (Tunisia) & Achille Manirakiza (Rwanda)
Moderators: Timothy Rebbeck (USA) & Prisca Adejumo (Nigeria)

Wijdene Mahfoudh (Tunisia) | State of the Art of Cancer Genomics in Africa (10 Minutes)
Yosr Hamdi (Tunisia) & Achille Manirakiza (Rwanda) | The African Oncogenetics Network (15 Minutes)
Raffaella Casolino (Switzerland) | WHO Cancer Genomics Program (15 Minutes)
Timothy Rebbeck (USA) | Hammamet Declaration: Advancing Cancer Genomics in Africa (5 Minutes)
Q&A (15 Minutes)

 

 

 
09:30 – 11:00

CANCER GENOMICS (SIG) / BASIC RESEARCH

Facilitators: Yosr Hamdi, Tunisia & Solomon Rotimi, Nigeria

Dorra Hmida Ben Brahim (Tunisia) | TBA
Tsion Minas (USA) | Prostate Cancer Genomics in Africa
Joseph Lachance (USA) | Pan-African GWAS reveals heterogeneous genetic architectures of prostate cancer across Africa
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitator: Haimanot Kasahun
Moderators: Chineneye Iwuji & Nazik Hammad

Introduction to speakers (10 Minutes)
Haimanot Kasahun (Ethiopia) | The Atlas of Dermatologic toxicities of systemic therapy in Africa: us about us (10 Minutes)
Christopher Booth (Canada) | Exercise and colon cancer recurrence (10 Minutes)
Verna Vanderpuye (Ghana) | Supportive care during systemic therapy: it matters more than you think (10 Minutes)
Yehoda Martei (USA) | Guidelines concordance in systemic therapy (10 Minutes)
Wala ben Kridis (Tunisia) | BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutations in patients with breast/ovarian cancer: Insights from Sfax (10 Minutes)
Q&A (20 Minutes)

 


13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

Africa’s Clinical Trial Landscape: Reflections and Strategic Planning – Clinical Trial Special Interest Group (SIG)

Facilitator: Abiola Ibraheem (USA)

Chairs: Abiola Ibraheem (USA) | Karim Khallout (Tunisia)

Abiola Ibraheem (USA) | Welcome and Stage Setting (10 Minutes)

Panel Session One: Reflection on Current Clinical Trial Training Programs in Africa (40 Minutes)
Moderator: James Alaro
Panelists:
Priya Ranganathan, CREDO
Jennifer Dent, BVGH
Timothy Rebbeck, MADCAP
Menghis Bairu, BIOSAWA
Peter Kingham, ARGO

Panel Session Two: Clinical Trials in Africa: Highlighting Our Strengths (40 Minutes)
Moderator: Adedayo Joseph

Panellists:
Karim Khallout
Vibhooti Ashar
Atara Ntekim
Sitna Mwanzi
Nesrine Mejri
Huwaida Bulhan

Questions, Discussion, and Clinical Trial SIG 2-Year Plan (30 Minutes)

 

 
16:00 – 17:00

AORTIC 2025 OPENING/WELCOME CEREMONY

MC – Hannah Ayettey (Ghana) (2 mins)

Keynote Lecture 1
Folakemi Odedina (USA) | Equity by Design: Reimagining Cancer Research and Care in Africa through Immersive Technology and Community Power (20 mins)

Belmira Rodrigues (South Africa) | Presentation of gift to the Keynote Lecturer (2 mins)

Hannah Ayettey (Ghana) | AORTIC 2025 Programme Director / AORTIC Secretary General (4 mins)

Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | AORTIC 2025 Programme Chair / AORTIC President (3 mins)

Karim Khallout (Tunisia) | AORTIC 2025 Local Organising Committee Chair (3 mins)

Tunisia National Anthem (4 mins)

Welcome by Tunisian VIP (TBA) (6 mins)

Hannah Ayettey (Ghana) | Introduction (1 min)

Cultural Performance (TBA) (13 mins)

 
17:00 – 19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION ONE
19:00 – 20:00 AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (Closed)
07:00 – 08:30

AMPATH Kenya at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital / Moi University Breakfast Symposium

Eldoret (Kenya) | Scaling Advanced Flow Cytometry for Pediatric Leukemia Diagnosis in LMICs: Experience from AMPATH at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital

Moderator: Tony Boova

Steven Kussick | Highly Effective Implementation of 10-color Diagnostic Flow Cytometry at the AMPATH Research Laboratory in Eldoret, Kenya
Teresa Lotodo | Scaling Flow Cytometry Services for Pediatric Leukemia Diagnosis: Partnerships and Sustainability Lessons from the AMPATH Laboratory in Eldoret, Kenya
Festus Muigai | Clinical utility of flow cytometry in Paediatric oncology at MTRH

 
08:30 – 09:30

Is Caring Beyond Cure Possible in African Cancer Care?
PALLIATIVE CARE (SIG)

Facilitator: Christian Ntzimira (Rwanda)

Christian Ntizimira (Rwanda) | TBA
Esther Dina Bell (Cameroon) | TBA
Moira Leng (UK) | TBA

 
09:30 – 11:00

HEPATOPANCREATOBILIARY (SIG)

Facilitator: Lewis Roberts (USA)

TBA | Hepatocellular Carcinoma
TBA | Liver transplantation
M ElHajri (Tunisia) | TBA

 
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Olusegun Isaac Alatise (Nigeria)

Ryan Fields (USA) | Role for Surgical Oncology Training in Optimum Cancer B10 (10 minutes)
Michael Mwachiro (Kenya) | Surgical Oncology Program in East Africa – Journey Thus Far (10 minutes)
Nanji Sulaiman (Kenya) | Developing Surgical Capacity Training Program in Africa: Queens and WACS Initiatives (15 minutes)
Emmanuel Ezeome | Olusegun Isaac Alatise | Credentialing for Surgical Oncology Training Fellowship – WACS Experience (15 minutes)
Ryan Fields (Tunisia) | Surgical Oncology Training in North Africa (10 minutes)
Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Surgical Oncology Special Interest Group (10 minutes)
Q&A (15 minutes)

 

 
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

African Cancer Coalition grantees conduct multi-format learning activities and campaigns to grow awareness and improve cancer facility standards for care
(Supported by ACS)

Justine Swindell | Welcome (10 minutes)

Kokou Amegan-Aho | Diriba Fufa Hordofa | Joyce Zalwango | Case Studies (35 minutes)
Panel discussion and Q&A (10 minutes)
Anu Agrawal | Closing remarks (3 minutes)

Creating an Enabling Environment for Patient Navigation in LMICs
(Supported by ACS)

Anu Agrawal | ACS Leadership in Global Patient Navigation (3 minutes)
Erica Krisel | The Power of Patient Navigation (10 minutes)
Jenna de St. Jorre | Introduction to the SPARK Initiative (5 minutes)
Panel Discussion: Patient Navigation Implementation and Sustainability in Africa (25 minutes)
Moderator: Kristie McComb
Panelists:
Sitna Mwanzi
Uchechukwu Shagaya
Anu Agrawa

Audience Q&A (15 minutes)
Moderators: Erica Krisel & Jenna de St. Jorre
Anu Agrawal | Wrap up (2 minutes)

 

 
16:00 – 17:00
17:00 – 19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION ONE
19:00 – 20:00 AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (Closed)
07:00 – 08:30
08:30 – 09:30

ADVOCACY SIG

Facilitator: Julie Torode (Switzerland)

Julie Torode (Switzerland) | Introducing the plans of a new advocacy special interest group, its role in supporting the AORTIC mission and vision and how you can get involved (10 Minutes)
Lewis Roberts (USA) | AORTIC as a convenor on cancer research and education & training – position statements as a first step (10 Minutes)
Katie Wakeham (UK) | World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (5 Minutes)
Julia Franz (USA) | Building the cancer knowledge of primary healthcare workers (5 Minutes)
TBA | African Oncogenetics Network – a political declaration and white paper (5 Minutes)
Hela Hammami | VOICE project, building advocates readiness to advocate on policy (5 Minutes)
Panel discussion on factors for success (20 mins)
Moderator: Venus Mushininga (Zimbabwe)

 
09:30 – 11:00

Context to Methods: Making Adaptation Measurable—Keeping Fidelity Int
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE (SIG)

Facilitators: Nwamaka Lasebikan (Nigeria) | Francis Makhoka (Kenya)

Katharin Rendle | Protecting the Mechanism: What Must Not Change (and How to Prove It) – Keeping Fidelity intact
Eche Ezeanolue | Designing What Changes—and What Mustn’t: From Context to Adaptation You Can Measure?
Hanen Bouaziz | From Evidence to Action: Leadership Lessons in Implementing Oncology Interventions
Catherine Oladoyinbo (Nigeria) | TBA

 
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

Transforming Diagnostics: Digital Pathology and AI Partnerships in Africa
PATHOLOGY (SIG)
(Supported by USCAP)

Facilitator: Cesaltina Lorenzoni (Mozambique)

Kenneth Landgraf (USA) | ASCP telepathology network description, lessons learned
Shaheen Sayed (Kenya) | CRC AI validation project
Alex Mremi (Tanzania) | Residency exchanges, digital pathology collaborations at KCMC
Cesaltina Lorenzoni (Mozambique) | Closing remarks
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCERS (SIG)

Facilitators: Kunle Odunsi | Kathleen Schmeler

Lamia Naija (Tunisia) | Surgery of recurrent disease (12 Minutes)
Khadija Warfa (Kenya) | Adaptation of international guidelines in Africa (12 Minutes)
Paul Kamfwa (Zambia) | Setting up cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services in Zambia (12 Minutes)
Ricardina Rangeiro (Mozambique) | Becoming one of the three first Gyn Oncs in Mozambique and on starting a research program (12 Minutes)
Towards creating a federated pan-African biobank and data commons for gynecologic cancers (12 Minutes)

 
16:00 – 17:00
17:00 – 19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION ONE
19:00 – 20:00 AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (Closed)
07:00 – 08:30
08:30 – 09:30

CANCER IN CONFLICT AREAS (SIG)

Facilitator: Nazik Hammad, Canada/ Sudan

Chairs: Nazik Hammad, Canada/ Sudan & Richard Sullivan

Introduction, Nazik Hammad, Canada/ Sudan (3 minutes)

Dispatches from across Africa, Samiratou Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso & Fatoumata M Sidibé, Mali & Ntumsi Tontu, Cameron & Nahla Gafer, Sudan (30 minutes)
Cancer surgery in conflict zones, Bague Abdoul Halim (7 minutes)
Cancer and climate change: AORTIC Policy Statement, Omar Abdihamid, (7 minutes)
Research and policy agenda for the SIG, Nazik Hammad, Canada/ Sudan (5 minutes)
Questions and concluding remarks (10 minutes)
09:30 – 11:00

RADIATION ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Surbhi Grover (USA) | Adedayo Joseph (Nigeria)

Sheela Hanasoge (USA) | Liver Radiotherapy/SBRT (20 minutes)
Melinda Mushonga (Zimbabwe) | Lung Radiotherapy/SBRT (20 minutes)
Njoki Njiraini (Kenya) | Pediatric Radiotherapy (20 minutes)
Carol Benn (South Africa) | Intra-operative Radiotherapy (15 minutes)
Fidel Rubagumya | Peer Review/Chartrounds (20 minutes)
Nejla Fourati | Radiotherapy in Africa: Focus on the Tunisian Experience (20 minutes)
Adedayo Joseph | Radiation Oncology SIG (5 minutes)

 
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

CLINICAL RESEARCH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME (CRMP)
(Supported by Princess Margaret / MD Anderson)

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong (Canada)
Chairs: Ndlovu Ntokozo | Nwamaka Lasebikan

Ndlovu Ntokozo | Nwamaka Lasebikan | Welcome remarks (5 Minutes)
Rebecca Wong (Canada) | The CRMP Journey – For whom, how and why does it work (15 Minutes)
Silas Mafuhure | Patterns and factors associated with disease recurrence in breast cancer patients: a five-year single institution study (15 Minutes)
Sapna Diayar | Determining the incidence of taxane induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer initiated on a taxane at Tygerberg hospital (9 minutes)
Daluchukwu Obi | Breast relatives screening (9 minutes)
Dereje Bogale | Lung & EGFR (9 minutes)
Yusuf Suiru | Prostate cancer ADT & QoL (9 minutes)
Hudson Nyondo | Prostate RT & proctitis (9 minutes)
Sarah Mouelle | Radiotherapy in Cameroon (9 minutes)

 

 
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

CLINICAL RESEARCH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME (CRMP)
(Supported by Princess Margaret / MD Anderson)

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong (Canada)

Melinda Mushonga | Residency to early Career Radiation Oncologist: CRMP the necessary bridge (15 minutes)
Desalegn Abera | Outcomes of EBRT Boost for cervical cancer in a resource limited setting: A retrospective study (15 minutes)
Dany Bodo | Early clinical response after chemoradiotherapy with external beam radiotherapy boost in locally advanced cervical cancer in Cameroon (9 minutes)
Ruth Manwele | Cervix fractionation and local failure (9 minutes)
Mariam Uledi | Breast radiotherapy & fractionation (9 minutes)
Feleke Hailmariam | Diagnostic accuracy of perioperative MRI for staging and predicting mesorectal fascia involvement in rectal cancer at Tikur Anbessa Hospital – a retrospective study (15 minutes)
Mohamed Kadar | Head and neck CRT and nutrition (9 minutes)
Khawla Aquame | Pancreas cancer and radiotherapy (9 minutes)
Aba Scott | Observations from our Alumni (2 minutes)
Mentoring in LMIC – Thoughts for the future (15 minutes)

 

 

 
16:00 – 17:00
17:00 – 19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION ONE
19:00 – 20:00 AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (Closed)
07:00 – 08:30
08:30 – 09:30

AORTIC Hematology Oncology Research Group (AORTICHORG)

Facilitator: Marcus Inyama Asuquo (Nigeria)

Sam M. Mbulaiteye (USA) | Genome-wide association results linking the Chr21q.22.12 locus with pediatric Burkitt lymphoma in Africa (20 Minutes)
Christopher K. Williams (USA) | Some epidemiological features of leukaemia and lymphoma in Nigerian children and young adults, 1978-1986 (20 Minutes)
Matthew Painschab (USA) | Multicentric Castleman disease trial results (20 Minutes)

 
09:30 – 11:00

Unveiling Psycho-Oncology in Africa: Practice, Progress, Gaps, and the Role of IPOS
PSYCHO-SOCIAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitator: Chioma Asuzu (Nigeria)

Chioma Asuzu (Nigeria) | Introduction and Progress in Psycho-Oncology in Africa
Joyce Terwase (Nigeria) | Gaps and Challenges in Psycho-Oncology in Africa
Chukwuemeka Odiaka (Australia) | The Role of International Psycho-Oncology Society in Africa (IPOS)
Khedija Meddeb (Tunisia) | Sexual Functions in Cancer patients respecting cultural, ethical and religious difference

 

 
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

NURSING ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Florence Manjuh (Cameroon) | Beatrice Ohaeri (Nigeria)
Moderators: Florence Manjuh (Cameroon) | Beatrice Ohaeri (Nigeria)

Prisca Adejumo | State of Oncology Nursing in Africa
Naomi Ohene Oti | Bridging Borders and Disciplines: Strengthening Oncology Nursing Collaboration Across Africa
Chizoma Ndikom | Mapping Evidence, Informing Practice: An Interactive Session on Scoping Reviews

 
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

WOMEN IN GLOBAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Nazik Hammad (Canada) | Melinda Mushonga (Zimbabwe)

Nazik Hammad (Canada) | Introduction (2 Minutes)
Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy (Malaya) | The Power of Perspective: Women’s Roles in Advancing Cancer Care and Research (15 Minutes)
Panel Discussion (30 Minutes)
Melinda Mushonga (Zimbabwe) | Women leadership in oncology: the numbers we have so far
Panelists: Verna Vanderpuye | Miriam Mutebi | Fidel Rubagumya | Gladwell Kiarie
Naomi Oti | Women in nursing oncology (10 Minutes)
Samiratou Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) | Women in public Health and cancer epidemiology (12 Minutes)
Eveline T. Mayaah (Cameroon) | Perspectives of women engaged in Advocacy: Barriers and recognition (12 Minutes)
Haimanot Kasahun | Social Barriers to Career Advancement
Early Career (7 Minutes)
Khadija Warfa | Mid Career (7 Minutes)
Verna Vanderpuye | Late Career (7 Minutes)
Yehoda Martei | Perspectives of Women in the Diaspora (7 Minutes)
16:00 – 17:00
17:00 – 19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION ONE
19:00 – 20:00 AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (Closed)
08:00 – 09:00

Advancing GU Cancer Care in Africa: From Global Innovations to Local Impact

Facilitator: Folakemi Odedina (USA/Nigeria)

Folakemi T. Odedina (USA) | Session Overview (3 minutes)
Serigne Gueye (Senegal) | GU Oncology New Therapies, Such as Immunotherapy, Targeted Agents, Combination Regimens (12 minutes)
Frank Chinegwundoh (UK) | Overview of Latest Global Advances in GU Cancers and Relevance to Africa (12 minutes)
Chidiebere Ogo (Nigeria) | Building Biomedical Research and Clinical Trial Infrastructure in African Centres for GU Cancers (12 minutes)
Abidemi Omonisi (Nigeria) | Establishing a GU Cancer Biobank in West Africa: Feasibility and Early Results (11 minutes)
Q&A (10 minutes)

 
09:00 – 10:30

Health as an Investment for All Africans – What is the Contribution of Cancer Prevention and Control?

A stimulus dialogue co-hosted by AORTIC and Roche Africa, using cancer as an exemplar of change for impact

Facilitator: Miriam Mutebi (Kenya)

Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Welcome and Opening Remarks (5 mins)
H.E. Mustapha Ferjani M.D. | Health as an Investment – The Tunisian Perspective (15 mins)
Maturin Tchoumi (South Africa) | Introducing New Socioeconomic Data on the Impact of Cancer in Africa (10 minutes)
Zainab Bagudu-Shinkafi (Nigeria) | The Patient Perspective on Levers for Change and Financial Protection (10 minutes)
Kofi Nyarko (Congo) | Strengthening Health Systems with a Focus on Quality Outcomes (10 minutes)
Elias Melly (Kenya) | Building Community Health Literacy and Harnessing Cultural Beliefs (10 minutes)

Moderator-Led Interactive Discussion with Audience (10 minutes)
H.E. Mustapha Ferjani (Tunisia) | Maturin Tchoumi (South Africa) | Zainab Bagudu-Shinkafi (Nigeria) | Kofi Nyarko (Congo) | Elias Melly (Kenya) | Hesham Elghazaly (Egypt)

Cesaltine Lorenzoni | Closing Remarks (5 mins)

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

German Society of Gynaecologic Oncology AGO

Facilitator: Eva Kantelhardt (Germany)

Chairs: Eva Kantelhardt | Adamu Addissie

Eva Kantelhardt | 15 Years AGO Interdisciplinary Partnership with Colleagues in Africa to Jointly Enhance Gynae-Oncology Capacity (3 minutes)
Veronica Afework | Hiwot Yeshitila | Enhancing Breast Cancer Surgery in Ethiopia (5 minutes)
Tadesse Urgie | Enhancing Gynae-Oncology Care in Ethiopia (5 minutes)
Aragaw Tesfaw | Enhancing Breast Cancer Care to the Primary Health Care System in Ethiopia (5 minutes)
Friedemann Rabe | Breast Cancer Stage, Therapy and Outcome in Population-Based Cancer Registries (5 minutes)
Marcus Bauer | Breast Cancer Immunology in Sub-Saharan Africa (5 minutes)
Alex Mremi | Update on Cervical Cancer Screening (5 minutes)
Daria Hammerschmidt | Ovarian Cancer Stage, Therapy and Outcome in Population-Based Cancer Registries (5 minutes)

12:00 – 13:00

KEYNOTE SESSION 2

Nomonde Mbatani (South Africa) | Overcoming Barriers to Cervical Cancer Prevention in Africa: A Call to Action

 
13:00 – 14:30 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:30 – 14:30  
14:30 – 15:30

AORTIC–ASCO SYMPOSIUM

Facilitators: Yehoda Martei (USA) & Nazik Hammad (Canada)

Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Opening Remarks (5 Minutes)
Lynn Schuchter (USA) | The Art and Science of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide (5 Minutes)
Verna Vanderpuye (Ghana) | Measuring Quality Improvement of Care Delivery, Translation of ASCO QOPI in Global and African Settings (10 Minutes)
Alex Mutumbo (Congo) | ASCO Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Council Report: Impact and Opportunities for Future Growth (7 Minutes)
Nwamaka Lasebikan (Nigeria) | Current Status of Implementation Science in Africa (15 Minutes)
Discussion (18 Minutes)

 
15:30 – 17:00

Insights from the African aWAreness of CANcer and Early Diagnosis (AWACAN-ED) Program
(Supported by UCT)

Facilitators: Jennifer Moodley | Fiona M Walter

Jennifer Moodley | Introduction (5 minutes)
Fiona M Walter | Overview of AWACAN-ED programme (10 minutes)

Key AWACAN-ED findings (60 minutes: 5 presentations – 10 minutes each with 2 minutes after each for Q&A)
Chair: Fiona M Walter

Jennifer Moodley | Mapping time to diagnosis and stage at diagnosis
Sarah Day | Barriers and facilitators to timely diagnosis
Tasleem Ras | Health Facility preparedness for timely diagnosis of symptomatic cancer
John E Ataguba | Cost coping strategies and catastrophic expenditure associated with getting a cancer diagnosis
Suzanne E Scott | Public and primary care provider toolkits for timely diagnosis

Moderated Panel Discussion: Reflecting on the implications of the AWACAN-ED findings (40 minutes)

Moderator: Richard Sullivan
Panellists: Simbarashe Chinyowa | Bothwell T Guzha | Rosemary Jacobs | Verna Vanderpuye | Sharon Kapambwe | Jennifer Moodley

Jennifer Moodley | Fiona M Walter | Summary and Conclusion (5 minutes)

 

 
17:00 – 17:15 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION
17:00 – 18:15 AORTIC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PLENARY VENUE
19:00 -20:30 MOVIE NIGHT
08:00 – 09:00

ADVANCING HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS THROUGH INTERNATIONAL NETWORK AND COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTRES

(Supported by Princess Margaret Cancer Center Global Oncology Program)

Facilitator: D Rodin (Canada)

Keith Stewart (Canada) | UHN
Mansoor Saleh (Kenya) | AKU
A Olusegun (Nigeria) | ARGON
09:00 – 10:30

HIV-MALIGNANCIES

Facilitator: Randiak Alaro

Long-term research partnerships for advancing science and building capacity in HIV and cancer

Panellists: Greg Kirk ( Uganda) | Gad Murenzi (Rwanda) | Kathleen Schmeler (Mozambique)
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

ACCESS TO MEDICINES
Supported by Medicines Patent Pool

Facilitator: Sophie Thievenaz, Switzerland
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:30 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
13:30 – 14:30

AMGEN Lunch Symposium

Health workforce capacity in Africa – journey towards UHC

Moderator: Jon Hicks (Amgen)

13:30 – 13:35 | Welcome and introduction, Ponda Motsepe-Ditshego (Amgen)
13:35 – 13:50 | Health workforce in Africa today: challenges, progress, and the road ahead, Lydia Aziato (GH)
13:50 – 14:30 | Interactive panel discussion:
Lydia Aziato (GH)
Julie Torode (UK)
Caroline Kisia (KE)
Sunny Okoroafor (NG)
14:30 – 15:30

PATIENT ADVOCACY

Moderators: Christian Ntzimira (Rwanda) | Miriam Mutebi (Kenya)

Navid Madani (USA) | Bearing Witness: The Human Face of Cancer Advocacy (10 mins)
Emna Mrabet (Tunisia) | TBA (10 mins)
Lidia Shapira (USA) | Cancer survivorship: what do physicians need to know (15 mins)
Marilys Corbex (USA) | How to put people first and amplifying patient voices in the age of commercial influences? (10 mins)
Christian Ntzimira (Rwanda) | African models for cancer supportive care and survivorship (10 mins)

 
15:30 – 17:00

Cancer in Crisis – Findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on the Human Crisis in Cancer and its Implications for Cancer Prevention and Control in Africa
(Co-hosted by Institute of Cancer Policy, King’s College London and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto)

Gary Rodin (Canada) | Key Findings of the Commission Report and its Implications for Global Cancer (15 Minutes)
Miriam Mutebi | What the Commission Report means for the Future of Cancer Control in Sub Saharan Africa (15 Minutes)

Panel discussion: Solutions in low-resource countries and the required cancer community response from an African perspective (40 mins)

Moderator: Richard Sullivan
Panelists:
Karla Unger-Saldaña (Mexico) | Mac Skelton (Iraq) | Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy (Malaysia) | Omar Abdihamid (Canada) | Samira Ouedrago (Burkina Faso)

Gary Rodin (Canada) | Interactive discussion with the audience (20 mins)
Closing Remarks

 
17:00 – 17:15 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION
17:15 – 18:15 AORTIC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19:00 -20:30 MOVIE NIGHT
08:00 – 09:00

MRI LITERACY / RADIOLOGY

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong (Canada)

Habiba Mizouni | MR status in Africa (12 Minutes)
Claudia Ortega | What a clinician need to know about MR sequences (12 Minutes)
Rebecca Wong | MR applications in radiotherapy practice – towards the future (4 Minutes)
Heal Turki | MRI applications in radiotherapy practice in Africa (7 Minutes)
Habiba Mizouni | Claudia Ortega | Rebecca Wong | Hela Hammani Turki | Disease site focused examples with discussion (10 Minutes each Presenters

 
09:00 – 10:30

PALOP

Facilitator: Lúcio Lara Santos (Portugal)

Lúcio Lara Santos (Portugal) | ONCOCIR – Education and Care in Oncology – PALOP – Lusophone Africa
Paulo Salamanca (Angola) | Teleoncology – pilot project in Lubango (Angola)
Bubacar Embaló (Guinea-Bissau) | Implementation of the Oncology Service in Guinea-Bissau
Luidmila Moreira (São Tomé and Príncipe) | Implementation of the Oncology Service in São Tomé and Príncipe
Pamela Borges (Cape Verde) | Prevalence of hereditary gene mutations in Cape Verdean breast cancer patients
Ricardo Pinto (Portugal) | Improvement of Early Breast Cancer diagnosis in Mozambique: Preliminary results

 

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

Africa’s Edge in Practice: Pragmatic Adaptation, Guardrailed Fidelity, NIH Team Spotlights & Transferable Practices
(Co-convened by NCI)

Facilitators: Nwamaka Lasebikan (Nigeria) | Francis Makokha (Kenya)

Anne Montgomery | TBA
Katharin Rendle | TBA
Ngozi Idenmili-Aronu | TBA
Eche Ezeanolue | TBA
Juliet Iwelunmor | TBA
Imran O. Morhason Bello | TBA
Hanen Bouaziz | TBA
Catherine Oladoyinbo (Nigeria) | TBA
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:30 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
13:30 – 14:30

T2S Lunch Symposium

Innovative Radiation Therapy Solutions for Africa Without Compromise

Moderator: Vincent Ronflé

Speaker: Samir Mouatassim
14:30 – 15:30

BREAST CANCER

Facilitator: Nesrine Chraiet (Tunisia)
Moderator: Hannah Ayettey (Ghana)

Nesrine Chraiet (Tunisia) | Low Breast cancers: what is new (15 Minutes)
Pamela Borges (Cabo Verde) | Breast Cancer in Cabo Verde: A 24-Year Retrospective Study of Clinical Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes at Agostinho Neto University Hospital (15 Minutes)
Ismail Siala (Libya) | Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer (15 Minutes)
Q&A and Discussion (15 Minutes)

 
15:30 – 17:00

BASIC TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE

Facilitator: Sulma Mohammed (USA)

Moderators: Bolni Marius Nagalo | Francis Makokha | Sulma Mohammed

Manel Haj Mansour (Kenya) | Harnessing Immunotherapy for Cancer Prevention in Africa (15 minutes)
Bolni Marius Nagalo (USA) | Novel Immunotherapy for Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Cancers (15 minutes)
Jennie Williams (USA) | Translational Research: Bridging Laboratory Discoveries to African Communities (15 minutes)
Bodour Salhia (USA) | Liquid Biopsies as Translational Tools for Advancing Cancer Immunotherapy in Africa (15 minutes)
Abubakar Bello (Nigeria) | Building Capacity for Immunotherapy Trials in Africa (15 minutes)
Chiswili Yves Chabu (USA) | Immunoprevention and early detection of lung cancer in Africa: The LUNG-GUARD Platform (15 minutes)
Discussion (30 minutes)
17:00 – 17:15 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION
17:15 – 18:15 AORTIC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19:00 -20:30 MOVIE NIGHT
08:00 – 09:00

ACLI

Facilitator: Khalid Elbairi (Morocco)

Moderators: Julide Torode (UK) | Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Khalid Elbairi (Morocco)

Yosr Hamdi (Tunisia) | Welcome and overview of the ACLI program and its ambitions (8 mins)
Tinashe Mazhindu (Zimbabwe) | Irina Jacinto (Angola) | Examples of impact in shaping careers and research portfolios (16 mins)
Khalid El Bairi (Morocco) | Report back on the key themes of the ACLI alumni survey on reshaping the ACLI program (8 mins)
Omar Abdihamid (Kenya) | Introducing the new draft ACLI approach and call for applicants in 2026 (8 mins)
Interactive discussion for shaping the final plans


09:00 – 10:30

BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS

Facilitator: Sulma Mohammed (USA)
Moderator: Sulma Mohammed (USA)

Beth Virnig | Late-stage presentation of breast cancer: opportunities for traditional/faith healer and orthodox provider collaboration
David R Nelson | Creating Partnerships to Address the Rising Prevalence of Liver Cancer in Eastern Ethiopia
Dejana Braithwaite | Rising Tide: Lung Cancer Burden in Africa: Implications for Tobacco Control, Early Detection, and Health Policy
Ramzi G Salloum | Participatory Implementation Science to Address the Rising Tobacco Burden in Africa
Discussion

 

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 1

Moderator: Yosra Berrazega (Tunisia)

Lajnef Ines (Tunisia) | LT-001 Between Support And Influence: Oncologists’ Views On Pharmaceutical Industry Relations In Tunisia (3 mins)
Moses Gatimu (Kenya) | LT-002 From Distant Journeys to Local Hope: Improving Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Kitui County, Kenya (3 mins)
Alem Gebremariam-Abraha (France) | LT-003 Physical Activity, Cardiometabolic Diseases, And Cancer Risk: Evidence From The Epic And Uk Biobank Prospective Cohort Studies (3 mins)
Summaiya Haddadi (Tanzania) | LT-004 Understanding Cervical Cancer Patient Navigation Needs To Inform Intervention Development (3 mins)
Margaret Lubwama (Uganda) | LT-005 The Burden Of Infections In Patients With Cancer In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call To Integrate Infectious Diseases Expertise For Comprehensive Management Of Cancer In Sub-Saharan Africa In The Era Of Antimicrobial Resistance (3 mins)
Samiratou Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) | LT-006 Building African Cancer Advocacy Capacity: Early Lessons From The Voices Of Impact For Cancer Equity Project (3 mins)
Aisha Mustapha (Nigeria) | LT-007 Beyond The Scalpel: Navigating Gynaecologic Oncology Through Research, Fellowship, Survivorship And Advocacy (3 mins)
Matshediso Mohlala (South Africa) | Applying Natural Language Processing To Extract Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Biomarkers And Assess Testing Rates In The South African Pathology Registry (3 mins)
Ijeoma Ifeorah (Nigeria) | LT-009 High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Types Circulating In Women Living With HIV In Nigeria: A Preliminary Report Of An Ongoing Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study (3 mins)
Zisis Kozlakidis (UK) | LT-010 10 Years Of The Biobank And Population Cohort Network (BCNET): Challenges And LMIC-Specific Experiences In Biobanking (3 mins)
Jenny Coelho (USA) | LT-011 Tumor Immune Microenvironmental Patterns Associate With Survival In A Multiomic Analysis Of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma From HIV+ Tumors From Malawi (3 mins)
Tingting Mo (France) | LT-012 Seven-Year Follow-Up Of The ABC-Do Sub-Saharan African Breast Cancer Prospective Cohort: Overall Survival, Annual Risks Of Death And Survival Gap Apportionment Analyses (3 mins)
Clement Narh (Ghana) | LT-013 Breast Cancer Care Pathways Of Women Presenting At District-Level And Non-Capital City Hospital Settings: Findings From The ABC-DO Ghana (3 mins)
Pâmela Borges (Cabo Verde) | LT-014 Prevalence Of Hereditary Gene Mutations In Cape Verdean Breast Cancer Patients (3 mins)
Maroua Boujemaa (Tunisia) | LT-015 Germline Insights Into Inflammatory Breast Cancer In Tunisian Women: DNA Repair And Inflammatory Pathways As Drivers Of Susceptibility (3 mins)
Jihenne Ben Aissa-Haj (Tunisia) | LT-016 A Stepwise Genetic Screening Strategy For Diffuse Gastric Cancer In Tunisian Patients: Focus On CDH1 And Beyond (3 mins)
Snoussi Kaouther (Tunisia) | LT-017 Association Of MCP-1 -2518 A/G Polymorphism With Increased Breast Cancer Risk In A Tunisian Population (3 mins)
Joseph Lachance (USA) | LT-018 Heterogeneous Genetic Architectures Of Prostate Cancer Susceptibility In Sub-Saharan Africa (3 mins)
Kenn Chi Ndi (Cameroon) | LT-019 Genetic Landscape Of Breast Cancer In Cameroon: Pioneering Oncogenetics In An African Setting (3 mins)
Accadius Lunayo (USA) | LT-020 Advancing Early Detection Of Esophageal Cancer In High Incidence East African Regions By Integrating Multi-Omics Signatures And Histopathology (3 mins)

 

 
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:30 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:30

CLINICAL RESEARCH
(Co-convened by NCI)

Facilitator: Randiak Alaro
15:30 – 17:00

SCIENTIFIC WRITING WORKSHOP

Facilitator: Amr Soliman, USA

Workshop participants are encouraged to email their draft manuscripts to workshop
leader (Dr. Amr Soliman) 3-4 weeks before the workshop for feedback at the following
email address asoliman@med.cuny.edu
17:00 – 17:15 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION
17:15 – 18:15 AORTIC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19:00 -20:30 MOVIE NIGHT
08:00 – 09:00

AORTIC Hematology Oncology Research Group (AORTICHORG)

Facilitator: Marcus Inyama Asuquo (Nigeria)

Lorenzo Leoncini | DNA methylation profiles of Burkitt lymphoma and their role in defining tumour subtypes (20 Minutes)
Marcus Inyama Asuquo | Cancer-Associated Anaemia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management with a focus on Patient Blood Management (20 Minutes)
Ousmane Koulibaly (French) | Epidemiology and management of haematology and oncology in children and young adults (20 Minutes

 
09:00 – 10:30

A Research Education and CEESP Recruitment Workshop

Facilitator: Amr Soliman (USA)

Presenters:

Amr Soliman (USA) | Introduction
Pooja Yerram (Tanzania) | TBA (15 Minutes)
Breana Wayne (Egypt) | TBA (15 Minutes)
Srivarun Tummarakota (Tanzania) | TBA (15 Minutes)
Chacha Mwita (Tanzania) | TBA (15 Minutes

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 2

Moderator: Imen Chabchoub (Tunisia)

Regina Wachuka Mbugua (Kenya) | Characterization Of KIF20B As A New Prognostic Biomarker And Therapeutic Target For Breast Cancer (3 mins)
Ricardo J. Pinto (Portugal) | LT-022 Integrating Ancestry In Big Data Analysis Uncovers BLM-Centred DNA Damage Repair Pathway Dependency And Pevonedistat Sensitivity In Sub-Saharan African Triple Negative Breast Cancer (3 mins)
Jean-Tristan Brandenburg (South Africa) | LT-023 Evaluating The Transferability Of Polygenic Risk Scores For Breast Cancer Prediction In South African Populations (3 mins)
Jean Pascal Demba Diop (Senegal) | LT-024 Implication Of The BRCA1 C.815_824DUP Variant In Breast, Prostate, And Liver Cancers In Senegalese Patients (3 mins)
Isabel du Randt (South Africa) | LT-025 Host Genetic Determinants Of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection In A Cancer Cohort Of African Ancestry (3 mins)
Federica Inturrisi (France) | LT-026 Heterogeneity By Ancestry In Cervicovaginal HPV35 Prevalence (3 mins)
Peter Kazembe (Malawi) | LT-027 Transcriptomic Analysis Of Human Endogenous Retroviruses In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients In Malawi (3 mins)
Peace Ayeni (Switzerland) | LT-028 The South African Cervical Cancer Screening Cohort: Incidence Of Invasive Cervical Cancer In 8 Million Women Screened In South Africa (3 mins)
Belinda Nedjai (UK) | LT-029 Digital PCR Implementation Of The S5 DNA Methylation Classifier For Early Detection Of Cervical Cancer And High-Grade Lesions (3 mins)
Matteo Botteghi (Italy) | LT-030 URINE24 Model: A Novel Approach For A Suitable Cytology Cancer Diagnosis Improved By Pathomics (3 mins)
Marluz Dombo (Mozambique) | LT-031 Integrating HPV-DNA Testing Into HIV Care: Results Of A Programmatic Implementation In Four Health Facilities In Maputo City, Mozambique (3 mins)
Federica Inturrisi (France) | LT-032 HPV Self-Sampling For Cervical Cancer Screening: Experiences From The PAVE Study (3 mins)
Gad Murenzi (Rwanda) | LT-033 Relative Clinical Performance Of Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing And Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid To Predict Cervical Precancer And Cancer Among Rwandan Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (3 mins)
Jenala Nyangu (USA) | LT-034 Attendance At One-Year Follow-Up Among Two Cohorts At Elevated Cervical Cancer Risk: Results From A Retrospective Study In Malawi, Rwanda, And Zambia (3 mins)
Sylvie Pool (UK) | LT-035 Optimising Early Detection And Screening Practices For Colorectal Cancer In Seychelles: An Evaluation Of The National Pilot Screening Programme (3 mins)
Timothy Tchereni (Malawi) | LT-036 Taking Human Papillomavirus Testing To The Community In Rural Malawi: Self Sampling Screening Cascade (3 mins)
Mohammed Ezzet Charfi (Senegal) | LT-037 Mapping HPV Carriage And Precancerous Lesions In Senegal (3 mins)
Miyoba Chipunza (Zambia) | LT-038 Service Availability vs Service Delivery: Gaps In Cervical Cancer Screening Services In Central And Copperbelt Provinces Of Zambia (3 mins)
Alemnew Destaw (Ethiopia) | LT-039 Follow-Up, Rescreening Uptake, And Persistent Positive Rates Among Women After Positive Cervical Cancer Screening Results In Ethiopia: A Longitudinal Cross-Sectional Study (3 mins)
Lacy Hubbard (Sweden) | LT-040 Scaling Up Cervical Cancer Screening Through The FAST Model: A Population-Based Screening Approach In Low-Resource Settings (3 mins)
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:30 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:30

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Facilitator: Kandali Keita (Tanzania)

Kandali Keita (Tanzania) | Welcome & Overview (2 minutes)
Andrew Odhiambo (Kenya) | Beyond the Clinic: Harnessing Social Media for Oncologist Education & Engagement (15 Minutes)
Nazima Dharsee | Patient Education and Social Me (10 Minutes)
Kandali Keita (Tanzania) | Q&A led by (5 Minutes)
Conclusion (3 Minutes)

Grace Program | Kosj Yamoah (USA) (25 Minutes)
15:30 – 17:00

BIG Cat

Facilitator: Frederic Biemar (USA)

Opening Remarks (5 minutes)
Imran O. Morhason-Bello | Epigenetic alterations of cervical high-risk HPV infections in cervical cancer development: Learnings from an exploratory study funded by AACR in Nigeria (22 Minutes)
Ijeoma Ifeorah | Understanding HPV Molecular Diversity and Evolution in Women Living with HIV in Nigeria: Scientific Insights and Career Lessons (22 Minutes)
Rebecca Compaore | Proteomic Profiling Reveals Apolipoprotein Signatures for Early Detection of HBV-Driven Hepatocellular Carcinoma (22 Minutes)
Q&A (15 Minutes)

 

 
17:00 – 17:15 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION
17:15 – 18:15 AORTIC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19:00 -20:30 MOVIE NIGHT

 
08:00 – 09:00

PRECISION MEDICINE

Moderator: Yosr Hamdi, Tunisia

TBA, Karima Oualla, Morocco
TBA, Hend Chaker, Tunisia
TBA, Rokhaya Ndiaye, Senegal

09:00 – 10:30

Radiotheranostics – Towards an action plan to address access gap in Africa

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong, Canada

Moderator: Rebecca Wong, Canada

Radiotheranostics from a global perspective, May Abdel- Wahab (15 Minutes) (in person)
Building radiotheranostics program in South Africa – Lessons learned , Keamogetswe (Kamo) Ramonaheng (15 Minutes) (online)
Building radiotheranostics programs from an academic perspective, Keith Stewart (15 Minutes) (in person)
Building an isotope ecosystem, James Scongack (15 Minutes) (online)
The Oncidium Foundation initiatives to expand access to radioligand therapy in the region , Rebecca Lo Bue (5 Minutes) (in person)
Round table discussion (15 Minutes)

10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

Research for Impact: C/Can Cities as Knowledge Hubs

Facilitators: Chris Chukwunyere | Meritxell Mallafré-Larrosa

Chris Chukwunyere | Welcome and Opening (5 Minutes)
Meritxell Mallafré-Larrosa | The C/Can’s research initiative: Advancing locally-led implementation research (5 Minutes)
Ernest Kwasi Adjei | Case study 1: TBA (5 Minutes)
Catherine Nyongesa | Case study 2: Nairobi needs assessment (5 Minutes)
Q&A with case study presenters

Moderated by Meritxell Mallafré-Larrosa (5 Minutes)

Panel Discussion: Leveraging partnerships to strengthen research ecosystems in C/Can cities (30 Minutes)
Moderators: Chris Chukwunyere | Meritxell Mallafré-Larrosa
Panelists:
Nwamaka Lasebikan
Adedolapo Fasawe
Andrew Hockey
Elias Melly

Miriam Mutebi | Closing Remarks: Strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem: C/Can’s commitment to the AORTIC journal (5 Minutes)

 

 
12:00 – 12:30

KEYNOTE SESSION 3

Adamu Addissie (Ethiopia) | Implementing access, timeliness and quality cancer care for improved patient outcome in Africa

12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:00 – 14:00  
14:00 – 15:00

Piloted Interventions that Strengthened Health Systems to Improve Access to Cancer Care in sub-Saharan Africa
(Supported by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation)

Facilitator: Christable Semondile (South Africa)

Christable Semondile (South Africa) | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Thina Mathivha (South Africa) | Improved Health Infrastructure and Care Coordination
Lawrence Atundo (Kenya) | Supporting Access to Health Services
Usangiphile Buthelezi (South Africa) | TBA
Maseabata Ramathebane (Lesotho) | Enhancing Human Resource Capabilities in Healthcare
Themba Ginindza (South Africa) | Generating Appropriate Body of Knowledge for Decision Making
Questions & Answers / Discussions

15:00 – 17:00

Insights from the African aWAreness of CANcer and Early Diagnosis (AWACAN-ED) Program
(Supported by UCT)

Facilitators: Jennifer Moodley | Fiona M Walter

Jennifer Moodley | Introduction (5 minutes)
Fiona M Walter | Overview of AWACAN-ED programme (10 minutes)

Key AWACAN-ED findings (60 minutes: 5 presentations – 10 minutes each with 2 minutes after each for Q&A)
Chair: Fiona M Walter

Jennifer Moodley | Mapping time to diagnosis and stage at diagnosis
Sarah Day | Barriers and facilitators to timely diagnosis
Tasleem Ras | Health Facility preparedness for timely diagnosis of symptomatic cancer
John E Ataguba | Cost coping strategies and catastrophic expenditure associated with getting a cancer diagnosis
Suzanne E Scott | Public and primary care provider toolkits for timely diagnosis

Moderated Panel Discussion: Reflecting on the implications of the AWACAN-ED findings (40 minutes)

Moderator: Richard Sullivan
Panellists: Simbarashe Chinyowa | Bothwell T Guzha | Rosemary Jacobs | Verna Vanderpuye | Sharon Kapambwe | Jennifer Moodley

Jennifer Moodley | Fiona M Walter | Summary and Conclusion (5 minutes)

 

 
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
08:00 – 09:00

EXPERT PANEL: Policy Power – Aligning Global, Regional, and National Agendas for Cancer Control in Africa

Facilitator: Miriam Mutebi (Kenya)

Opening Remarks (8 min)

Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Welcome, Session Framing, and Importance of Policy Alignment (2 min)
Zainab Bagudu (Nigeria) | Global Perspective and Commitment to Supporting African-Led Cancer Control (5 min)
TBA | What Cancer Policy Looks Like from the Front Lines: A Young Oncologist’s Perspective (3 min)
Adelard Kakunze | Status of NCCP Regional Policy Alignment, Kofi Nyarkoko (5 min)
Integration of Cancer in Africa’s Public Health Agenda (5 min)
Layne Robertson | Translating Policy in Africa (5 min)
Theoneste Maniragaba (Rwanda) | Policy to Practice for Cervical Cancer Elimination

Panel Discussion (25 min)
Layne Robinson | Commonwealth
Adelard Kakunze | Africa CDC
Theoneste Maniragaba (Rwanda) | Ministry of Health Official
Prisca Githuka (Kenya) | Civil Society / Patient Advocate
Young Oncologist Panelist | TBD

Closing Reflections / Commitments (5 min)
Zainab Bagudu (Nigeria) (2 min)
Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) (2 min)

 
09:00 – 10:30

20 BEST OF THE BEST – Part 1

Moderator: Nukunté David Lionel Togbenon (Benin)

Lindor Qunaj (USA) | O-001 Baseline Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in Black South African Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer (7 Minutes)
Donald Tobaiwa (Zimbabwe) | O-002 Broadening the Lens: Collaborative Policy Approaches for Advancing Lung Cancer Diagnostics in Zimbabwe’s National Cancer Control Plan (2025–2030) (7 Minutes)
Wala Ben Kridis (Tunisia) | O-003 Correlations Between CD155 and Breast Cancer Prognosis (7 Minutes)
Ricardo J. Pinto (Portugal) | O-004 Whole Exomic Profiling of Angolan and Cape Verde Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cases (7 Minutes)
Adewale Abdulwasiu Aderounmu (Nigeria) | O-005 Characterizing Colorectal Liver Metastases in Nigeria: A Prospective Multicenter Database Review (7 Minutes)
Olusegun Isaac Alatise (Nigeria) | O-006 A Customized Colorectal Cancer Early Diagnosis Program in Nigeria Can Identify Patients with Advanced Adenomas and Early-Stage Cancer (7 Minutes)
Arfaoui Abir (Tunisia) | O-007 Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy (7 Minutes)
Mariem Chouchen (Tunisia) | O-008 Prediction of Radiation-Induced Leukemia Risk in Nuclear Medicine Healthcare Professionals Using Deep Learning (7 Minutes)
Amadou Soumaila (Niger) | O-009 Mission Impact au Niger en 2010: Quel est le Niveau de Mise en Œuvre des Recommandations Prioritaires Après la Réunion d’Évaluation d’Octobre 2020? (7 Minutes)
Parisa Fallah (USA) | O-010 The IGCS Global Fellowship Program: Building Capacity for Gynecologic Oncology Care in Resource-Limited Settings (7 Minutes)
Asma Felfoul (Tunisia) | O-011 Predictive Factors of Recurrence After Curative Surgery for Colorectal Cancer: A Multicentric Study in Tunisia (7 Minutes)
Marc Hendricks (South Africa) | O-012 An Interim Analysis of the South African Prospective MEGCT-2016 Study Following the Implementation of a National Treatment Guideline for Paediatric Extra-Cranial Germ Cell and Sex Cord Stromal Tumours (7 Minutes)

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

MEDICAL TOURISM IN AFRICA

Facilitators: Fidel Rubagumya (Rwanda) | Nazik Hammad (Canada)

Fidel Rubagumya (Rwanda) | The Status of Medical Tourism for Cancer Treatment in Africa (15 Minutes)
Sarah Kutika | Patient Perspective, Ethical Considerations, and Health Equity (15 Minutes)
Nazik Hammad (Canada) | The Economics and Research Gaps in Oncology Medical Tourism (20 Minutes)
Q&A (10 Minutes)
12:00 – 12:30

 
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:00 – 14:00

Varian Lunch Symposium
Driving Efficiency and Innovation in Oncology

Michael Stead (Varian)

Moderator: José-Manuel Valentim (Varian)

Riana Jackson | Halcyon and IDENTIFY: Driving Precision and Confidence in Thoracic Radiotherapy
Jaco van Staden | Creating and Using RapidPlan in a Clinical Setting
14:00 – 15:00

HYPOFRACTIONATION IN AFRICA: WHAT IS NEW?

Facilitator: Luca Incrocci (The Netherlands)
Moderators: Luca Incrocci (The Netherlands) | Wil Ngwa (USA)

Abba Mallum (South Africa) | Hypofractionation for Prostate Cancer: Final Results of the HypoAfrica Study
Samuel Adeneye (Nigeria) | Technical Implementation of Hypofractionation in African Centres
Solomon Kibudde (Uganda) | The HypoAfrica Study for Breast Cancer
Onyinye Balogun (Gabon) | HypoAfrica for Cervical Cancer: A Feasibility Study
Lotfi Kochbati (Tunisia) | Financial Aspects of Hypofractionation

 
15:00 – 17:00

Africa 2030: Scaling Access to Breakthrough Cancer Care
(Supported by the Max Foundation)

Setting the Scene – The Patient Voice and Experience

Cathy Scheeper (South Africa) | Welcome and Introduction
Partner Physician Perspective | TBA
Cathy Scheepers (South Africa) | The Ambition and Max’s Commitment to Reach and Serve 100,000 Patients
Understanding Barriers to Expanded Access and Identifying the Solutions – Facilitated Discussion and Audience Input
Closing Reflection and Key Takeaways
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
08:00 – 09:00

INTEGRITY LANDSCAPE OF CANCER RESEARCH IN AFRICA: FROM RETRACTIONS TO POLICY

Facilitator: Khalid El Bairi (Morocco)
Moderator: Khalid El Bairi (Morocco)

Fidel Rubagumya (Uganda) | Conflicts of Interest with Pharmaceutical Industry in African Oncology
Omar Abdihamid (Kenya) | Methodological Rigor and Integrity of Phase III Trials in Oncology Conducted in Africa
Khalid El Bairi (Morocco) | Integrity Landscape of Cancer Research in Africa: From Retractions to Policy

 
09:00 – 10:30

Cancer Registration in Sub Saharan Africa (AFCRN)

Facilitator: Cesaltina Lorenzoni (Mozambique)
Moderator: Cesaltina Lorenzoni (Mozambique)

Cesaltina Lorenzoni (Mozambique) | The AFCRN – What it is and does? (8 minutes)
Natasha Abraham (South Africa) | Childhood Cancer Registration (8 minutes)
Francis Zerd (Tanzania) | Developing a National Registry Programme (8 minutes)
Djibril Teonsa (Burkina Faso) | Collecting Information on Stage and Survival in PBCRs (8 minutes)
Dikarlo Plamena (Germany) | Treatment and Follow-Up Studies in SSA (8 minutes)
Gladys Chesumbai (Kenya) | Globocan – How Are the National Estimates Made (8 minutes)

 

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

Mind Over Malignancy: Addressing Mental Health in African Cancer Care

Facilitator: Christian Ntzimira (Rwanda)

Christian Ntzimira (Rwanda) | TBA
Yosra Berrazaga (Tunisia) | TBA
T | TBA
12:00 – 12:30

 
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:00 – 14:00

 
14:00 – 15:00

COMMON SENSE ONCOLOGY
(Supported by Queen’s University)

Session I – Introduction to CSO and African Priorities

Facilitator: Omar Abdihamid (Kenya)

Nazik Hammad | Opening Statement (3 Minutes)
Chris Booth | History and Mandate of CSO (12 Minutes)
Omar Abdihamid | CSO Clinical Trials Checklist (10 Minutes)
Verna Vanderpuye | The African Context for CSO (10 Minutes)
Fidel Rubagumya | Cancer Policy in Africa: The Rwanda Case (10 Minutes)
All Panelists | Questions and Answers (15 Minutes)

 

 
15:00 – 17:00

 

Decoding African Prostate Cancer: New Frontiers in Science, Systems, and Solutions
(Supported by Mayo Clinic)

Chair: Folakemi T. Odedina

Session 1 – New Frontiers in Science of Prostate Cancer in African and African-descended Men
Chair: Folakemi T. Odedina

Folakemi T. Odedina | Novel Application of a Virtual Reality Assistant (ViRA) in Supporting Prostate Cancer Patients
Ademola Popoola | Personalized Care of Prostate Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and a Consortium Initiatives to Change the Narratives
Solomon Rotimi | AI-Powered Multi-Omics Reveals Prostate Cancer Drivers in West Africa
Ernest Kaninjing | The Role of Theoretical Models in Addressing Prostate Cancer Health Disparities Among Men of African Ancestry

Session 2 – New Frontiers in Systems and Community-centric Solutions
Chair: Folakemi T. Odedina

Catherine Oladoyinbo | From Survivors to Advocates: Transforming Personal Battles into Public Action
Chidiebere Ogo | From Diagnosis to Treatment and Survivorship: Navigating the Local Health System Pathways in LMIC
Doyin Bademosi | Digital Transformation in Oncology Care: Implications for Africa
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
08:00 – 09:00

LUNG CANCER

Facilitator: Nesrine Mejri (Tunisia)

Jerry Ndumbalo (Tanzania) | How to Select Patients for Pre/Perioperative Therapy in Early Stage NSCLC (20 mins)
Njoki Njiraini (Kenya) | Reality of Management of Stage IIIb-c NSCLC in African Context (20 mins)
Nesrine Mejri (Tunisia) | Different IO Adaptations in mNSCLC in Limited Resources Setting (20 mins)
09:00 – 10:30 AFRICAN PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR ONCOLOGY RESEARCH (ALTOR)

 
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

IBA Sponsored Industry Symposium

Srinivas Chilukuri | Strategic Steps Toward Proton Therapy in Africa: Insights from the Indian Experience

 
12:00 – 12:30

 
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:00 – 14:00

 
14:00 – 15:00

ONCOLOGY PHARMACY – Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Equitable and Affordable Access to Cancer Medicines and Vaccines in Africa

Facilitator: Samiratou Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso)

Anthelme Kouessi Agbodande (Benin) | Access to Essential Medicines in Palliative Care: Strengthening the Supply Chain and Training Prescribers (10 Minutes)
Adel Hamdi (Tunisia) | Making Cancer Medicines Accessible in Africa: Policies, Regulation, and Partnerships (10 Minutes)
Salome Meyer (South Africa) | How Civil Society Can Drive Access to Innovative and Affordable Cancer Vaccines and Medicines (Online – English) (10 Minutes)
Venus Dadirai Mushininga (Zimbabwe) | Pioneering Local Solutions to Improve Access: Lessons from Zimbabwe’s Oncology Supply Chain and Services (10 Minutes)
15:00 – 17:00

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS & AFFORDABLE TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIVE THERAPIES

Facilitator: Abiola Ibrahem

Opening reflections by African experts highlighting oncology access realities and unmet needs

Interactive Panel Discussion featuring industry, policy, and clinical leaders addressing:

  • Regional coordination and regulatory/HTA streamlining

  • Differential pricing, voluntary licensing, pooled procurement, and TRIPS-consistent flexibilities

  • Financing and reimbursement pathways suited to African contexts

  • Adaptable access models drawn from infectious-disease and COVID-19 programs

  • Strategies to balance innovation incentives with affordability and uptake
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
08:00 – 09:00

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Building a Network for Francophones in Global Oncology
(Supported by Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) & The Ottawa Hospital, Canada)

Facilitators: Marc Gaudet (Canada) | Jean-Marc Bourque (Canada)

Objectives:

  • Strengthen collaboration among Francophone oncology centers and professionals across Africa, Canada, and Europe

  • Identify common priorities where collaborative action would have the greatest impact

  • Lay the groundwork for a sustainable Francophone network to advance equity in global cancer care
09:00 – 10:30

Shared Power, Shared Progress: Advancing Cancer Research in Africa

Facilitators: Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) | Randiak Alaro

Moderators: Precious (Malawi) | Brenda (Botswana)

Three Lightning Talks (20 min)

  • Global Partnerships, Local Impact: A Vision for U.S.–Africa Cancer Collaboration | TBA

  • Transformative Funding Models for African-Led Cancer Innovation | TBA

  • From Transaction to Transformation: Scientific Collaboration Across Continents | TBA

Panel Discussion (30 min)
Moderators: Precious (Malawi) | Brenda (Botswana)

Annet Nakaganda | TBA
Almaz Negash | Role of Mentorship, Dual Identity, and Investment
Abdul Samad Rabiu | Building Sustainable, Locally Owned Research Systems

Keynote Speakers
Miriam Mutebi | TBA

Closing & Call to Action (5 min)
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 3

Moderator: Eulade Rugengamanzi (Rwanda)

Lacy Hubbard (USA) | LT-041 Integrating Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening at the Primary Care Level: The 2-in-1 Model in Low-Resource Settings (3 Mins)
Sophie Hilda Lemoupa Makajio (Cameroon) | LT-042 Home- Versus Hospital-Based HPV Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural West Region of Cameroon: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (3 Mins)
Solomon Asmare Endalew (Ethiopia) | LT-043 Factor Analysis of Determinants Influencing Cervical Cancer Survival: A Population-Based Study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2019–2023) (3 Mins)
Eben Aje (Nigeria) | LT-044 Unmasking Laterality: Clinicopathological Insights into Nigerian Colorectal Cancer, a Five-Year Report from a Busy Oncology Centre in Sub-Saharan Africa (3 Mins)
Tinashe A. Mazhindu (Zimbabwe) | LT-045 Retrospective Analysis of the Lung Cancer Burden in Zimbabwe (3 Mins)
Judith Mwansa-Kambafwile (South Africa) | LT-046 Epidemiology of Uterine Cancer in South Africa: 1986 to 2023 (3 Mins)
Eliane Rohner (Switzerland) | LT-047 Association of CD4 Counts and HIV Viremia with Incident Anal Cancer Diagnosis Among People with HIV in South Africa (3 Mins)
Maureen Bilinga Tendwa (South Africa) | LT-048 Comparative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Proctitis in Hypofractionated versus Conventional Pelvic Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer: Evaluating Incidence Risk and Mitigation Strategies (3 Mins)
Amon Chirwa (Malawi) | LT-049 Rituximab for Multicentric Castleman Disease in Malawi: A Single-Arm Phase II Safety/Efficacy Trial (3 Mins)
Kija Luhuti (Tanzania) | LT-050 Evaluating a Novel Strategy for Early Detection of Esophageal Cancer in Tanzania (3 Mins)
Mousli Alia (Tunisia) | LT-051 Innovating Medical Oncology Education: Insights from a Prospective Study on the Flipped Classroom (3 Mins)
Elshafa Ahmed (USA) | LT-052 Genomic and Immunophenotypic Insights into Epstein-Barr Virus for Targeted Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development (3 Mins)
Teresa Lotodo (Kenya) | LT-053 A Decade of Advancing Flow Cytometry for Diagnosis of Leukemia and Lymphoma at a Tertiary Public Hospital in Western Kenya (3 Mins)
Nata Dieng (Senegal) | LT-054 Evaluation of the Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Senegal After 20 Years of Experience with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (3 Mins)
Thando Kubheka (South Africa) | LT-055 The Role of MicroRNA-181B in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma (3 Mins)
Augustine Musyoka (Tanzania) | LT-056 Hematological and Molecular Profiles and Common Symptoms at Diagnosis of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in Northern Tanzania (3 Mins)
Ahlam Nasser (Tanzania) | LT-057 Response Rate and Survival of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) on Second-Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) in Tanzania (3 Mins)
Samantha Vogt (USA) | LT-058 Prognostic Significance of Serum Ferritin in Newly Diagnosed HIV-Associated Hodgkin Lymphoma (3 Mins)
Imen Chabchoub (Tunisia) | LT-059 Burkitt Lymphoma in the Center of Tunisia: About 57 Cases (3 Mins)
Tarsizious Chikaonda (Malawi) | LT-060 Prognostic Factors for HIV-Associated Multicentric Castleman Disease Treated with Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: A Prospective Cohort Study (3 Mins)

 
12:00 – 12:30

 
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:00 – 14:00

 
14:00 – 15:00

OESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Facilitator: Akwi Asombang

S. Zarra (Tunisia) | Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancy
M. Mwachiro (Kenya) | TBA
Lucio Lara Santos | TBA
15:00 – 17:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 4

Moderator: Feriel Bouzid (Tunisia)

Corrina Moucheraud (USA) | LT-061 Messages Associated with Increased HPV Vaccination Motivation: Experimental Evidence from Kenya (3 mins)
Sheldon Amoo-Mitchual (USA) | LT-062 Impact of Survivor Narrative Patient Education Videos on Gynecological Cancer Patients in Botswana (3 mins)
Sarah Day (South Africa) | LT-063 Patient Journeys to Lung Cancer Diagnosis in the Western Cape, South Africa (3 mins)
Mvoufo Fokou (Cameroon) | LT-064 Assessment of Dose Delivery by a Cobalt-60 Teletherapy Machine with External Beam Therapy-3 Dosimetry System Using Slab Water Phantom Measurements and Monte Carlo Simulations (3 mins)
Kate Klein (USA) | LT-065 Understanding Determinants to an HPV Screening Mobile Clinic Intervention in Mali and Nigeria (3 mins)
Jenala Nyang (USA) | LT-066 Community-Based Models of HPV Testing in the Context of Public Health Programs in 5 African Countries: Do Women Return for Triage in Low-Income Settings? (3 mins)
Priya Sarma (USA) | LT-067 Preferences for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Promotion Messaging: Insights from Kenya and Malawi (3 mins)
Katy Winkworth-Prejsnar (USA) | LT-068 Evolving NCCN Harmonized Guideline Recommendations for Breast Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) 2017–2024 (3 mins)
Wala Ben Kridis (Tunisia) | LT-069 Breast Cancer Inflammatory Microenvironment: A Tunisian Cohort (3 mins)
Nesrine Kooli (Tunisia) | LT-070 Two Decades of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Tunisia: Shifting Trends in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes (3 mins)
Pauline Charlotte Angermann (Germany) | LT-071 Guideline Concordance and Survival Outcomes Among Patients with Colon Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multicentric Population-Based Registry Study (3 mins)
Dereje Endeshaw Bogale (Ethiopia) | LT-072 Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Status in Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma in Ethiopia (3 mins)
Tove Ekdahl Hjelm (Sweden) | LT-073 Stage at Diagnosis and Tumor Biology Among Young Women and Men with Breast Cancer in Sweden and Ethiopia (3 mins)
Lasmar Ines (Tunisia) | LT-074 Role of Ki67 in Predicting Survival in Luminal Breast Cancer According to Axillary Nodal Involvement (3 mins)
Kofi Adesi Kyei (Ghana) | LT-075 Prevalence of Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity in HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patients in Ghana (3 mins)
Kooli Nesrine (Tunisia) | LT-076 Real-World Experience with Immunotherapy in Oncology: Insights from a North African Tertiary Cancer Center (3 mins)
Kooli Nesrine (Tunisia) | LT-077 Updated Results of the ISANOX Phase II Trial: Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Folfirinox and Short-Course Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (3 mins)
Jihene Ayari (Tunisia) | LT-078 IDH1-R132H Mutation and Tumor Location as Prognostic Biomarkers in High-Grade Gliomas: Insights from a North African Military Cohort (3 mins)
Sharif Folorunso (Nigeria) | LT-079 Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) in Nigeria: Clinical Features, Barriers to Care, and Early Outcomes from a Tertiary Center (3 mins)
Lajnef Ines (Tunisia) | LT-080 Bone Health in Young Breast Cancer Patients Treated with LH-RH Analogues in Combination with Tamoxifen or Aromatase Inhibitors: A Comparative Evaluation (3 mins)
Nesrine Mejri (Tunisia) | LT-081 Sequential Strategy with Osimertinib: A Viable Option in Low-Resource Environments (3 mins)
Salmane Ariyoh Amidou (Benin) | LT-082 Strengthening Cancer Control in Benin: The 2024–2028 National Strategic Plan (3 mins)
Lydia Businge (Rwanda) | LT-083 Record Linkage of Cancer Registry and Civil Registration System Data to Enhance the Quality and Reliability of Cancer Data in Rwanda (3 mins)
Priya Sarma (USA) | LT-084 Cervical Cancer Prevention in Africa: A Policy Analysis (3 mins)
Chiemerigo Anne Bright (Nigeria) | LT-085 Preparing African Nurses to Be Policy Leaders in Cancer Treatment and Control Programmes in Selected African Countries (3 mins)
Teresa Babetine (Mozambique) | LT-086 CD81 and CD38 as Potential Targets for Development of Therapeutics for Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Mozambique (3 mins)
Jacquelyn Bedsaul-Fryer (USA) | LT-087 Characterizing the Association of Epstein-Barr Virus Sero-Immune Profiles with Burkitt Lymphoma Risk in East Africa (3 mins)
Imen Chabchoub (Tunisia) | LT-088 Pediatric Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Aspects and Therapeutic Management of a Case Series – Experience of the Oncology Pediatric Unit of Farhat Hached Hospital (3 mins)
Alice Authier (France) | LT-089 Enhancing Palliative Care Access for Cervical Cancer Patients in Southern Malawi: A Decentralized and Integrated Approach (3 mins)
Selena Kleber (Malawi) | LT-090 Malawian Caregiver Perception of the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire – Revised Global Version (3 mins)
Remedy Bi (Cameroon) | LT-091 Evaluating the Quality of Manual Method of Tissue Processing in Cancer Diagnosis: An Experience in Mbingo Baptist Hospital Pathology Laboratory (3 mins)
Asteria Kimambo (Tanzania) | LT-092 Application of the International Academy of Cytology Yokohama System for Reporting Breast Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania (3 mins)
Rina Masadah (Indonesia) | LT-093 MUC5AC Protein Expression as a Potential Predictor of Metastasis in Mucinous Ovarian Carcinoma: Unveiling a New Biomarker in a Rare Cancer Subtype (3 mins)
Radia Elgui (Morocco) | LT-094 Association Between the Ki-67 Proliferation Index, Clinicopathological Characteristics, and Molecular Subtypes of Invasive Breast Cancer in Kenitra, Morocco (3 mins)
Fidel Rubagumya (Rwanda) | LT-095 Assessing Radiotherapy Peer Review Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa (3 mins)
Scott Swartz (USA) | LT-096 Evidence Quality and Geographic Representation in the NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa (NCCN-SSA): A Critical Analysis of Supporting Studies (3 mins)
Fatima Haggar (Chad) | LT-097 Mobilizing Resources for Cancer Care: Development of Chad’s First Radiotherapy Facility (3 mins)
Carol-Ann Benn (South Africa) | LT-098 Enabling Patient-Driven Oncoplastic Procedures Through Streamlined Oncology Centre Policy Structuring (3 mins)
Irina Jacinto (Angola) | LT-099 Decentralization of Cancer Care in Angola: A District Maternity Hospital Experience (3 mins)
Amira Jaballah (Tunisia) | LT-100 Molecular Diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for TKI Prescription: Increased Prevalence of EGFR Mutations in Tunisian Women Patients (3 mins)
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
08:00 – 09:00

Improving Health Systems for Cancer through National Cancer Control Planning (NCCP) – UICC Members’ Perspective

Moderator: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu (Nigeria)

Yannick Romero | NCCP Landscape in Africa
Zuzanna Tittenbrun | ICCP Portal and Resources

Panel Discussion moderated by Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu (Nigeria)
Annet Nakaganda (Uganda) | Research, Data and Cancer Registries
Eman Shannan (Palestine) | Patient Engagement and Barriers to Care in Conflict Zones
Christian Ntizimira (Rwanda) | Palliative Care

 
09:00 – 10:00

IMPLEMENTING CANCER CARE INTO THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
(Supported by Addis Ababa University)

Facilitator: Eva Kantelhardt (Germany)

Chairs: Adamu A | Blandina Mmbaga
Moderators: Abigiya Wondemagegnehu (Ethiopia) | Muluken Gizaw (Ethiopia)

Sefonias Getachew | Eric Kroeber | Integrating eHealth into Primary Cancer Care (10 Minutes)
Muluken Gizaw | Cervical Cancer Screening: Challenges and Opportunities (5 Minutes)
Abigiya Wondemagegnehu | Including Psychosocial Care in Primary Health Care (5 Minutes)
Elima Jedy-Agba (Nigeria) | Improving Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
Rogathe Machange | Capacity among Community Leaders to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening (5 Minutes)
Ngcwalisa Jama | Traditional Healers’ Perceptions (5 Minutes)

10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

LIGHTNING TALKS – 5

Moderator: Houda Belfekih (Tunisia)

Nashivai Kivuyo (Tanzania) | LT-101 Molecular Subtyping And Risk Stratification Of Breast Cancer Patients In Tanzania (3 mins)
Mamello Sekhoacha (South Africa) | LT-102 Genetic Signatures For Distinguishing Chemo-Sensitive From Chemo-Resistant Responders In Prostate Cancer Patients (3 mins)
Nwamaka Ngozika Lasebikan (Nigeria) | LT-103 Precision Oncology In Africa: Progress And Challenges (3 mins)
Hela Ayouni (Tunisia) | LT-104 Assessing The Effectiveness Of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy In Sparing The Axillary Lateral Vessel Thoracic Junction As An Organ At Risk For Predicting Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema After Regional Nodal Irradiation (3 mins)
Hela Ayouni (Tunisia) | LT-105 An Assessment Of The Feasibility And Dosimetric Advantages Of Generalized Equivalent Uniform Dose-Assisted Optimization In Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy For Ultra-Hypofractionated Breast Irradiation (3 mins)
Francis Hasford (Ghana) | LT-106 Clinical Radiology Medical Physics Training In Ghana: An IAEA Success Story To Support Cancer Care In Africa (3 mins)
Abba Mallum (South Africa) | LT-107 Hypofractionated Radiotherapy As A Potential Alternative To Conventional Treatment For Cervical Cancer In Resource-Limited Environments: A Prospective Comparative Analysis (3 mins)
Omar Nouri (Tunisia) | LT-108 Impact Des Techniques Innovantes Sur Les Résultats Thérapeutiques Du Cancer Du Col De L’utérus Localement Avancé (3 mins)
Saidi Sarra (Tunisia) | LT-109 The Impact Of Controlled Respiration On Cardiac Valve Irradiation Dose (3 mins)
Tafadzwa Chaunzwa (USA) | LT-110 Exploring A Novel CT-Derived Immuno-Structural Marker For Radiation Pneumonitis In Lung Cancer (3 mins)
Victor Isibor (Nigeria) | LT-111 The Impact Of Enhanced Patients’ Education On The Patients’ Experience With 3D-Brachytherapy Gynaecological Brachytherapy From A High-Volume Cancer Centre In Nigeria (3 mins)
Oluwafunmilayo Fagbemide (Nigeria) | LT-112 Medulloblastoma Radiotherapy In A Cancer Centre In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (3 mins)
Nükte Göç (USA) | LT-113 Understanding The Role Of Faith Leaders In Promotion Of HPV Vaccination And Cervical Cancer Awareness Among Diverse Religions And Denominations In Kenya (3 mins)
Chinonso Paul Shu (Cameroon) | LT-114 Correlation Between Total Prostate Specific Antigen And Histological Grading Of Prostate Cancer In A Kenyan Mission Hospital: A Five-Year Retrospective Review (3 mins)
Chinonso P. Shu (Cameroon) | LT-115 The Sensitivity And Specificity Of Total Prostate Specific Antigen In The Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer In A Resource-Limited African Setting: A Five-Year Review In A Kenyan Hospital (3 mins)
Gregory Kirk (USA) | LT-116 Aflatoxin Exposure Is Higher Among People Living With HIV In Uganda: Implications For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk (3 mins)
Darya Kizub (USA) | LT-117 Breast Cancer Care Capacity In Côte d’Ivoire: Insights From A Novel Multidisciplinary Provider Survey (3 mins)
Lilie Lin (USA) | LT-118 Elucidating The Impact Of Biologic Aging On Immunity-Related Cervical Cancer Outcome Disparities Among Women Living With HIV In Zambia (3 mins)
Alita Mrema (Tanzania) | LT-119 Quality Of Life Among Cervical Cancer Patients With Or Without HIV Following Radical Treatment At Ocean Road Cancer Institute Tanzania From March–July 2022 (3 mins)
Sheldon Amoo-Mitchual (USA) | LT-120 Impact Of Treatment & HIV Status On Quality Of Life Throughout Cervical Cancer Treatment In Women In Botswana: 5-Year Follow-Up (3 mins)
11:30 – 12:00

CLOSING CEREMONY | AORTIC 2027 ANNOUNCEMENT

MC | Hannah Ayettey (Ghana)

Karim Khallout (Tunisia) | AORTIC 2025 Local Organising Committee Chair (4 mins)
11:36 – 11:38 | AORTIC 2025 Programme Director / SG Hannah Ayettey
AWARDS (2 mins)
Miriam Mutebi (Kenya)
Christopher Williams – Christopher Best Abstract Award (2 mins)
Serigne Gueye – James & Jimmie Holland Best Abstract (2 mins)
Verna Vanderpuye – Lynette Denny Best Abstract Award (2 mins)

Hannah Ayettey Introduces New Site AORTIC 2027
Video (10 mins)

Handover to Florence Manjuh to introduce KESHO President

KESHO President (AORTIC 2027 LOC Chair) on stage – Welcome to Kenya (2 min)
Introduction of AORTIC 2026–2027 Council

Address of the AORTIC President, Cesaltina Lorenzoni, for Closing the AORTIC 2025 Conference (5 mins)

Official Closure of the AORTIC 2025 Conference
TUNISIAN MUSIC

 
08:00 – 09:00

LYMPHOMA

Facilitator: Christopher K. Williams (Canada)

Sam Mbulaiteye (USA) | Epidemiology of Burkitt Lymphoma in East African Children and Minors (EMBLEM) – An Update
Olufemi Adefehinti (Nigeria) | Clinico-Laboratory Presentation and Treatment Outcomes of Paediatric and Young Adult Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Resource Poor Settings
Christopher K. Williams (Canada) | Advocating Sustainable Strategies, Including A.I., in the Management of Curable Hematological Malignancies in African Children and Young Adults
09:00 – 10:00

DATA SCIENCE

Facilitator: Surbhi Grover (USA)
Moderator: Surbhi Grover (USA)

Rebecca Wong | Cultivating Clinical Research & Data Science Applications Through Mentoring (10 Minutes)
Oluwatosin Ayeni | Behind the Scenes: Establishing a Cervical Cancer Database in Radiation Oncology at the University of the Witwatersrand (10 Minutes)
Solomon Kibudde | Cervical Cancer Radiotherapy Trial in Uganda: Operational Challenges and Lessons Learnt (10 Minutes)
Reginina Rangeiro | Outcomes in Mozambique: Impact of an International Gynecologic Oncology Training Program (10 Minutes)
Katherine Rendle | Role of Implementation Science in Clinical Research (10 Minutes)

Q&A (10 Minutes)

 
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF RADIATION THERAPY SERVICES IN AFRICA

Eucharia Mushosho (Zimbabwe) | Facilitators: Kofi Adesi Kyei (Ghana)

Michelle Madzudzo (Zimbabwe) | Building a Stronger RTT Community in Africa: Insights from a Survey
Paulo Yoram Furahini (Tanzania) | Improving Radiation Services in Africa: The Role of the Radiation Therapists
Caesar Oburu Barare (Kenya) | Assessment of the Issues Confronting Services and Planning in Radiotherapy: The Role of RTT
Solomon Nartey (Ghana) | Process of Implementation and Change Management within the Oncology Fraternity: The RTT’s Rol
11:30 – 12:00  
08:00 – 09:00

NURSING ONCOLOGY

Facilitators: Florence Manjuh, Cameroon & Beatrice Ohaeri, Nigeria
Moderators: Florence Manjuh, Cameroon & Beatrice Ohaeri, Nigeria

Advancing Cancer Care in Africa Through Research and Education: The Role of the Nurse – Chizoma Ndikom
Optimising Cancer Care, Reducing Stigma and Strengthening Communication – Naomi Ohene

 
09:00 – 10:00 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: STATUS OF NCCP IN AFRICA
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

Cancer Care: Where Are We in Africa — Partnerships, Collaborative Efforts, and the Role of Local Professional Societies

Facilitator: Miriam Mutebi (Kenya)
Moderator: Jerry Ndumbalo (Kenya)

Sitna Mwanzi (Kenya) | Introduction to AORTIC Collaborations and Societies Supported (7 mins)
Munir Awol | Ethiopian Society of Hematology and Oncology (ESHO) (7 mins)
Gladwell Kiarie (Kenya) | Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (7 mins)
Hesham Elzaghy & Nermean Moustapha | Egyptian Cancer Society (7 mins)
Jerry Ndumbalo | Uganda Cancer Society (7 mins)

Building Intersociety Collaborations: Discussion (20 mins)

Moderator: Miriam Mutebi (Kenya)
Sitna Mwanzi | Gladwell Kiarie | Hesham Elzaghy | Nermean Moustapha | Jerry Ndumbalo | Waleed Arafat (Ethiopia)

 
11:30 – 12:00  
08:00 – 10:00

Expert Panel North America South-South Collaboration

Facilitators: Abiola Ibraheem (USA) | Beatrice P. Mushi (Tanzania)
Moderator: Beatrice P. Mushi (Tanzania)

Welcoming Note and Introductions: Abiola Ibraheem (USA) (10 minutes)

Rapid-Fire Session: Presenters from Africa (45 minutes)
Adamu Addissie (Ethiopia)
Ahlam Nasser (Tanzania)
Betiku Omolade (Nigeria)
Anthony Kityo (Uganda)
Lekan Olasehinde (Nigeria)
Diana Wangeshi (Kenya)

Interactive Panel Session (60 minutes)

  • Reflection on challenges raised during the rapid-fire session (LMIC collaborators)

  • Navigating the new funding landscape: Addressing challenges/barriers in research, mentorship, and training, with a focus on developing actionable solutions based on lessons learned.

  • Exploring and leveraging opportunities to strengthen and sustain equitable global health collaborations

Panel Moderator: Rebecca DeBoer (USA)

Panelists: Elia J. Mmbaga (Tanzania) | Timothy Rebbeck (USA) | Ghassan Abou-Alfa (USA) | Folakemi Odedina (USA) | Verna Vanderpuye (Ghana) | Katherine Van Loon (USA)

Q&A (15 minutes)
Closing Remarks (5 minutes)
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

Blood In My Stool – Stories of Colorectal Cancer Patients in Nigeria (Documentary)

Moderator: Hannah Ayettey (Ghana)

Mercy Sopuruchi Agu (Nigeria)

Video (45 mins)
Q&A / Discussion (15 mins)
11:30 – 12:00  
08:00 – 09:00

2030 Objectives for Paediatric Oncology

Facilitator: Adedayo Joseph

Optimizing Pediatric Brain Tumor Care in Africa
Facilitator: Adedayo Joseph (Nigeria)

Welcome & Introduction (5 min)

Launch of AORTIC Pediatric Oncology SIG (Adedayo Joseph, Nigeria)

Overview of Pediatric (Brain Tumor) Care in Africa | (TBD) (20 min)

Landscape of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology in Africa | (TBD)

Abstract Presentation (5 min)
• Topic: TBD
• Speaker: TBD

Optimizing Pediatric (Neuro-)Oncology in Africa Using Guidelines (20 min)
Implementing Resource-Stratified Guidelines for Pediatric (Brain) Tumors in Africa: The ARIA Guide
• Speaker: TBD

Abstract Presentation (5 min)
• Topic: TBD
• Speaker: TBD

Panel Q&A (5 min)
• Speakers: All Presenters

Facilitator: Adedayo Joseph

L Hsn
Reps: Anglophone | Lusophone | Francophone
09:00 – 10:00

20 BEST OF THE BEST – PART 2

Moderator: Matteo Botteghi (Italy)

Nashivai Kivuyo (Tanzania) | O-013 Trends in Clinicodemographic Characteristics of Breast Cancer: A 7-Year Analysis from Tanzania (7 mins)
Eric Sven Kroeber (Germany) | O-014 Cancer Patient-Reported Barriers to Surgery in Nine Sub-Saharan African Countries – A Survey Among Population-Based Registries (7 mins)
Carole Metekoua (South Africa) | O-015 Integration of HIV-Status in Cancer Surveillance: A Call for Action (7 mins)
Carole Metekoua (South Africa) | O-016 Most Common Cancers by HIV Status and Sex in South Africa (7 mins)
Mahmoud Denguir (Tunisia) | O-017 Nulliparity’s Unexpected Gift: Reproductive History Rewrites Triple Negative Breast Cancer Risk in a High-Consanguinity Tunisian Cohort (7 mins)
Mercy Mitei (Kenya) | O-018 Implementation and Impact of a Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board in Rural Kenya (7 mins)
Alex Mremi (Tanzania) | O-019 Prostate Cancer: The Burden, and Its Correlation with Prostate Specific Antigen Among Screened African Men in Tanzania (7 mins)
Ghassan Abou-Alfa (USA) | O-020 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Across Africa: Patterns of Care (7 mins)
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

LIGHTNING TALKS – 6

Moderator: Precious Makondi

Nazima Dharsee (Tanzania) | LT-121 Metastatic Patterns and Hormone Receptor Status Among Breast Cancer Patients in Tanzania (3 mins)
Mary Jue Xu (Tanzania) | LT-122 Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus and Associated Risk Factors Among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer at a National Referral Center in Tanzania (3 mins)
Darya Kizub (USA) | LT-123 Outcomes of a Two-Year Multi-Level Program to Improve Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis in Côte d’Ivoire (3 mins)
Noela Almada (Tanzania) | LT-124 Survival Rates of Vulva Cancer and Associated Factors Among Women Attended at Ocean Road Cancer Institute from January 2019 to December 2021 (3 mins)
Carol Benn (South Africa) | LT-125 Partnership Between Breast Oncology Surgical Services and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit Reduces Complications and Improves Outcomes (3 mins)
Martina Byttner (Sweden) | LT-126 Major Differences in Stage of Cancer Diagnosis, Disease Presentation, and Outcomes for Patients with Pathological Fractures in Cape Town and Stockholm (3 mins)
Asma Felfoul (Tunisia) | LT-127 Desmoid Tumor: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge (3 mins)
Asma Felfoul (Tunisia) | LT-128 Anterior Resection Syndrome of the Rectum: Predictive Factors (3 mins)
Julie Ann Francis (Canada) | LT-129 Bridging Continents: A Collaborative Approach to Developing Surgical and Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship in West Africa (3 mins)
Cameron Gaskill (Gambia) | LT-130 Survival and Estimated Impact of Treatment on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in The Gambia (3 mins)
Haykel Turki (Tunisia) | LT-131 Impact du Profil Moléculaire sur la Réponse Tumorale au Traitement Néoadjuvant des Cancers du Sein T4 (3 mins)
Haykel Turki (Tunisia) | LT-132 Surgical Margin Quality as a Prognostic Factor in Limb Liposarcoma Management (3 mins)
Ines Ben Hassen Hached (Tunisia) | LT-133 Ovarian Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinosis Post-Chemotherapy: Contribution of Ultrasound and Role of Laparoscopy (3 mins)
Khayati Wassim (Tunisia) | LT-134 Facteurs Prédictifs de la Négativité du Curage Axillaire Après Chimiothérapie Néo-Adjuvante dans le Cancer du Sein: À Propos de 300 Cas (3 mins)
Mercy Mitei (Kenya) | LT-135 Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma: A Report of Two Cases (3 mins)
Elizabeth F. Msoka (Tanzania) | LT-136 Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Related to Breast Cancer Among Health Care Providers and Traditional Healers in Urban and Rural Communities in Tanzania: Preliminary Findings (3 mins)
Olalekan Olasehinde (USA) | LT-137 Towards Guideline-Concordant Breast Cancer Surgery in Nigeria: A Nationwide Survey of Surgeons (3 mins)
Philip Mwachaka (Kenya) | LT-138 Epidemiology and Survival Outcomes of Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas in Kenya (3 mins)
Demisew Amenu Sori (Ethiopia) | LT-139 Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Predictors of Treatment Uptake Among Cervical Cancer Patients Managed at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia (3 mins)
Lesley Taylor (USA) | LT-140 Breast Cancer-Specific Database in Hawassa, Ethiopia (3 mins)

 
11:30 – 12:00