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, Tunusia & Achille Manirikiza, Rwanda
Moderators: Timothy Rebbeck, USA & Yosr Hamdi, Tunusia
TBA, Achille Manirikiza, Rwanda
TBA, Wijdene Mahfoudh, Tunisia
TBA, Raffaella Casolino, Switzerland
09:30 – 11:00

CANCER GENOMICS (SIG) / BASIC RESEARCH

Facilitators: Yosr Hamdi, Tunisia & Solomon Rotimi, Nigeria
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitator: Haimanot Kasahun, Ethiopia
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

CLINICAL TRIALS (SIG)

Facilitator: Abiola Ibraheem, USA
16:00 – 17:00

OPENING CEREMONY & KEYNOTE SESSION 1

TBA, Folakemi Odedina, USA/Nigeria
17:00 – 19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION ONE
19:00 – 20:00 AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (Closed)
07:00 – 08:30 INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM
08:30 – 09:30

PALLIATIVE CARE (SIG)

Facilitator: Christian Ntzimira, Rwanda

09:30 – 11:00

HEPATOPANCREATOBILIARY (SIG)

Facilitator: Lewis Roberts, USA
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Miriam Mutebi, Kenya & Alatise Olusegun, Nigeria
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

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

Outcomes of ACS Regional Quality Improvement Initiative
(Supported by ACS)
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, USA
09:30 – 11:00

IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE (SIG)

Facilitators: Amaka Lasebikan, Nigeria & Francis Makhoka
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

PATHOLOGY (SIG)
(Supported by USCAP)

Facilitator: Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Mozambique

13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCERS (SIG)

Facilitators: Kunle Odunsi & Kathleen Schmeler
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
09:30 – 11:00

RADIATION ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Surphi Grover, USA & Adedayo Joseph, Nigeria

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

CRMP
(Supported by Princess Margaret/MD Anderson)

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong, Canada
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

CRMP
(Supported by Princess Margaret/MD Anderson)

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong, Canada
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

AORTICHORG

Facilitator: Marcus Inyama Asuquo, Nigeria
09:30 – 11:00

PSYCH0-SOCIAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitator: Chioma Asuzu, Nigeria
11:00 – 11:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13:00

NURSING ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Florence Manjuh, Cameroon & Beatrice Ohaeri, Nigeria
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00

WOMEN IN GLOBAL ONCOLOGY (SIG)

Facilitators: Nazik Hammad, Canada/Sudan & Melinda Mushonga, Zimbabwe

Introduction, Nazik Hammad, Canada/Sudan (2 Minutes)
TBA, Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy, Malaya (15 Minutes)
Panel Discussion (30 Minutes)
Women leadership in oncology: the numbers we have so far, Melinda Mushonga, Zimbabwe
Panelists: Verna Vanderpuye, Miriam Mutebi, Fidel Rubagumya , Irene Chidothe
Women in nursing oncology, Naomi Oti (10 Minutes)
Women in public Health and cancer epidemiology, Samiratou Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso (12 Minutes)
Perspectives of women engaged in Advocacy: Barriers and recognition, Benda Kithaka (12 Minutes)
Social Barriers to Career Advancement
Early Career, Haimanot Kasahun (7 Minutes)
Mid Career, Khadija Warfa (7 Minutes)
Late Career, Verna Vanderpuye (7 Minutes)
Perspectives of Women in the Diaspora, Yehoda Martei, (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

GU CANCERS

Facilitator: Folakemi Odedina, USA/Nigeria
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
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

GERMAN GYNAE – ONCOLOGY SOCIETY

Facilitator: Eva Kantelhardt, Germany
12:00 – 13:00

KEYNOTE SESSION 2

TBA, Nomonde Mbatani, South Africa
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:30

AORTIC-ASCO SYMPOSIUM

Facilitators: Yehoda Martei, USA & Nazik Hammad, Canada/Sudan
Opening Remarks, Miriam Mutebi, Kenya
The Art and Science of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide, Eric Small, USA
Measuring quality improvement of care delivery, translation of ASCO QOPI in global and African settings, Verna Vanderpuye, Ghana
ASCO Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Council Report: Impact and opportunities for future growth, Alex Mutumbo, Congo
Current status of implementation science in Africa, Nwamaka Lasebikan, Nigeria
Discussion
15:30 – 17:00 BREAST CANCER
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

ADVANCING HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS THROUGH INTERNATIONAL NETWORK AND COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTRES

(Supported by Princess Margaret Cancer Center Global Oncology Program)
09:00 – 10:30 HIV-MALIGNANCIES
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 – 14:00 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30 INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM
14:30 – 15:30

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Facilitator: Nazima Dharsee, Tanzania
15:30 – 17:00 KING’s COLLEGE & PRINCESS MARGARET
(Sponsored session)
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

MR status in Africa, Habiba Mizouna (12 Minutes)
What a clinician need to know about MR sequences, Claudia Ortega (12 Minutes)
MR applications in radiotherapy practice, Rebecca Wong (7 Minutes)
Disease site focused examples with discussion, Habiba Mizouna & Claudia Ortega & Rebecca Wong & Hela Hammani Turki (10 Minutes each Presenters)
09:00 – 10:30

PALOP

Facilitator: Lúcio Lara Santos, Portugal/Angola
ONCOCIR- Education and Care in Oncology – PALOP- Lusophone Africa, Lúcio Lara Santos, Portugal/Angola
Teleoncology – pilot project in Lubango (Angola), Paulo Salamanca, Angola
Implementation of the Oncology Service in Guinea-Bissau, Bubacar Embaló, Guinea-Bissau
Implementation of the Oncology Service in São Tomé and Príncipe, Luidmila Moreira, São Tomé and Príncipe
Prevalence of hereditary gene mutations in Cape Verdean breast cancer patients, Pamela Borges, Cape Verde
Improvement of Early Breast Cancer diagnosis in Mozambique: Preliminary results, Leonildo Soares, Mozambique
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE
(Co-convened by NCI)

Facilitators: Amaka Lasebikan, Nigeria & Francis Makhoka
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:30 TBA
15:30 – 17:00

BASIC SCIENCE

Facilitator: TBA
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, Morrocco
09:00 – 10:30

BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS

Facilitator: Sulma Mohammed (USA/Sudan)
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 1

Moderator: Yosra Berrazega, Tunusia
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:30 CLINICAL RESEARCH
(Co-convened by NCI)
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

AORTICHORG

Facilitator: Marcus Inyama Asuquo, Nigeria
09:00 – 10:30

CEESP PROGRAM

Facilitator: Abiola Ibraheem, USA
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 2

Moderator: Imen Chabchoub, Tunusia
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH & NETWORKING | EXHIBITION
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:30

LIGHTNING TALKS – 3

Moderator: Houda Belfekih, Tunisia
15:30 – 17:00

BIG Cat

Facilitator: Frederic Biemar, USA

17:00 – 17:15 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION
17:15 – 18:15 AORTIC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19:00 -20:30 MOVIE NIGHT
07:00- 07:45 BEACHFRONT WALK
08:00 – 09:00 PRECISION MEDICINE
09:00 – 10:30

TOWARDS AN ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS RADIOTHERANOSTIC ACCESS GAP IN AFRICA

Facilitator: Rebecca Wong, Canada
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

C/CAN

Facilitator: Sophie Bussman, Switzerland

12:00 – 12:30

KEYNOTE SESSION 3

Implementing access, timeliness and quality cancer care for improved patient outcome in Africa, A Addessi, Ethiopia

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

MULTINATIONAL LUNG CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM (MLCCP)
(Supported by Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF))

Facilitator: Christable Semondile, Switzerland
15:00 – 17:00

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

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

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

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

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

Moderator: Richard Sullivan
Panellists: Mike Chirenje, Bothwell T Guzha, Jane Harries, Verna Vanderpuye, Sharon Kapambwe, Jennifer Moodley

Summary and Conclusion (5 minutes), Jennifer Moodley and Fiona M Walter
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
07:15 – 07:45 BEACHFRONT WALK
08:00 – 09:00

EXPERT PANEL: POLICY (CDC) WHO/AFRO

Facilitator: Miriam Mutebi, Kenya
09:00 – 10:30

20 BEST OF THE BEST – Part 1

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

MEDICAL TOURISM IN AFRICA

Facilitators: Fidel Rubagumya, Rwanda & Nazik Hammad, Sudan/Canada
12:30 – 13:00  
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:30 – 14:00 INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM
14:00 – 15:00

HYPOFRACTIONATION IN AFRICA: WHAT IS NEW?

Facilitator: Luca Incrocci, The Netherlands
Moderators: Luca Incrocci, The Netherlands & Wil Ngwa, USA/Cameroon
Hypofractionation for prostate cancer: Final results of the HypoAfrica study, Abba Malloum, South Africa
Technical implementation of hypfractionation in African Centres, Samuel Adeneye, Nigeria
The HypoAfrica study for breast cancer, Onyinye Balogun, Gabon
HypoAfrica for cervical cancer: A feasibility study, Solomon Kibudde, Uganda
Financial aspects of hypofractionation, Lotfi Kochbati, Tunisia
15:00 – 17:00 THE MAX FOUNDATION
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
07:15 – 07:45 BEACHFRONT WALK
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
Conflicts of Interest with Pharmaceutical Industry in African Oncology , Fidel Rubagumya, Uganda
Methodological Rigor and Integrity of Phase III Trials in Oncology Conducted in Africa, Omar Abdihamid, Kenya
Integrity Landscape of Cancer Research in Africa: From Retractions to Policy, Khalid El Bairi, Morocco
09:00 – 10:30

AFCRN

Facilitator: Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Mozambique

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

MENTAL HEALTH AND CANCER

Facilitator: Christian Ntzimira, Rwanda
12:00 – 12:30  
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:30 – 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
3 Minutes – Opening Statement, Dr. Nazik Hammad
12 Minutes – History and Mandate of CSO, Chris Booth
10 Minutes – CSO Clinical Trials Checklist, Omar Abdihamid
10 Minutes – The African Context for CSO, Verna Vanderpuye
10 Minutes – Cancer Policy in Africa: The Rwanda Case, Fidel Rubagumya
15 Minutes – Questions and Answers, All Panelists
15:00 – 17:00 DECODING AFRICAN PROSTATE CANCER: NEW FRONTIERS IN SCIENCE, SYSTEMS, AND SOLUTIONS.
(Supported by Mayo Clinic)
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
07:15 – 07:45 BEACHFRONT WALK
08:00 – 09:00 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS & AFFORDABLE TECHNOLOGIES
09:00 – 10:30 LUNG CANCER
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00 EXPERTISE FRANCE
(Supported by Expertise France)
12:00 – 12:30  
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:30 – 14:00  
14:00 – 15:00

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

Facilitator: Samiratou Ouedraogo, Burkino Faso
10 Minutes – Access to essential medicines in palliative care: strengthening the supply chain and training prescribers, Anthelme Kouessi Agbodande, Benin (Online – French)
10 Minutes – Making cancer medicines accessible in Africa: policies, regulation, and partnerships, Adel Hamdi, Tunisia (French)
10 Minutes – How civil society can drive access to innovative and affordable cancer vaccines and medicines, Salome Meyer, South Africa (Online – English)
10 Minutes – Pioneering local solutions to improve access: lessons from Zimbabwe’s oncology supply chain and services, Venus Dadirai Mushininga, Zimbabwe
15:00 – 17:00

INNOVATIVE THERAPIES

Facilitator: Abiola Ibraheem, USA
17:00 – 17:30 TEA & POSTER SESSION 2
19:00 – 23:00 CONFERENCE DINNER (TRADITIONAL ATTIRE)
07:15 – 07:45 BEACHFRONT WALK
08:00 – 09:00 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: RADIOTHERAPY
(Supported by CHUM)
09:00 – 10:30 2030 OBJECTIVES FOR CHILDHOOD CANCERS
10:30 – 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
11:00 – 12:00

LIGHTNING TALKS – 4

Moderator: TBA
12:00 – 12:30  
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH AND EXHIBITION / AORTIC COUNCIL MEETING (CLOSED)
13:30 – 14:00  
14:00 – 15:00 OESOPHAGEAL CANCER
15:00 – 17:00

LIGHTINING TALKS – 5

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

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: UICC

Facilitator: TBA
09:00 – 10:00

IMPLEMENTING CANCER CARE INTO THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Facilitator: Eva Kantelhardt, Germany
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30 PATIENT ADVOCACY
11:30 – 12:00 CLOSING CEREMONY | AORTIC 2027 Announcement
08:00 – 09:00 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: STATUS OF NCCP IN AFRICA
09:00 – 10:00

DATA SCIENCE

Facilitator: Surbhi Grover, USA
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF RADIATION THERAPY SERVICES IN AFRICA

Facilitators: Kofi Adesi Kyei, Ghana & Eucharia Mushosho, Zimbabwe
Building a stronger RTT community in Africa: insights from a survey, Michelle Madzudzo, Zimbabwe
Improving Radiation Services in Africa, the Role of the Radiation Therapists, Paulo Yoram Furahini, Tanzania
Assessment of the issues confronting services and Planning in Radiotherapy: The Role of RTT, Caesar Oburu Barare, Kenya
Process of Implementation and Change Management within the Oncology Fraternity: the RTT’s Role, Solomon Nartey, Ghana
11:30 – 12:00  
08:00 – 09:00

NURSING ONCOLOGY

Facilitators: Florence Manjuh, Cameroon & Beatrice Ohaeri, Nigeria
09:00 – 10:00 LYMPHOMA
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30 CANCER CARE IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES: WHERE DO WE STAND?
11:30 – 12:00  
08:00 – 09:00

EXPERT PANEL: North America South – South Collaboration

Facilitator: Abiola Ibraheem, USA
09:00 – 10:00

YALO / ACLI

Facilitator: Khalid El Bairi, Morocco
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30 AFRICAN PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR ONCOLOGY RESEARCH (ALTOR)
11:30 – 12:00  
08:00 – 09:00

IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH

Facilitator: K Landgraf, Canada
09:00 – 10:00

20 BEST OF THE BEST – PART 2

Moderator: Matteo Botteghi, Italy
10:00 – 10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
10:30 – 11:30

LIGHTINING TALKS – 6

Moderator: TBA
11:30 – 12:00