Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

20 May marked four years since the launch of the UICC-led Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition, a period of collective progress in expanding access to essential cancer medicines and diagnostics in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).   Thanks to the Coalition’s access pathways, 37 oncology medicines and 10 diagnostics are now available for uptake across 46 countries.    An estimated 1.3 million doses were delivered, enabling over 12,000 people with cancer to receive quality-assured and reliably available treatment: https://lnkd.in/dyk-CJ32

How can artificial intelligence be leveraged to improve cancer outcomes while safeguarding patient trust, safety and equity? This morning on the sidelines of #WHA79, UICC and Amgen convened “AI Serving Better Patient Outcomes” to explore how AI can support people-centred cancer care — from earlier and more accurate diagnosis to treatment planning, patient monitoring and supportive care. The discussion highlighted AI’s potential to enhance clinical decision-making, improve efficiency across health systems, and contribute to more personalised care when implemented responsibly and equitably. Thank you to our speakers and to Amgen for partnering with us on this important discussion: 🔸 Thomas Clozel, CEO of Owkin   🔸 Olivier Michielin, Chief of Oncology Department, Geneva University Hospital  🔸 Jenny Ashley, Director of Digital Medicine, Amgen 🔸 Philippe Guinot, Chief Operating Officer, UICC   Moderated by Hannah Vaughan Jones, broadcaster and journalist.

We were delighted to participate in “Bringing audiences in storytelling as a trusted tool in health communications,” a BBC StoryWorks session this morning at the #WHA79.    Healthcare systems around the world depend on many factors to function well, but trust is fundamental. Without it, people are less able to access care and health systems struggle to meet their needs. Experts explored how brand-led storytelling can be used and shared insightful reflections on how to tell these stories, while safeguarding trust.     As Eric Grant, Senior Communications and Media Manager, UICC, said, “It’s important to never forget that there’s a person or people at the centre of all of this, that’s why we focus on people-centred care.”    We were happy to join this discussion as part of our Rewriting Cancer film series, produced for UICC by BBC StoryWorks, which aims to dispel myths and showcase advancements in cancer prevention, treatment, and care through the lens of people with lived experience.     Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eiJzr-an  

UICC was proud to co-host the side event: “The Clean Air Dividend: Investing in Health for All” with the NCD Alliance at #WHA79.    Rosie Tasker, Global Advocacy Manager at UICC, stressed that with air pollution causing 7 million premature deaths every year, and the rising number of #lungcancer cases among people who have never smoked, clean air must be a priority across health, policy, and investment agendas.    As Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director, Environment, Climate Change and Migration at the World Health Organization, reminded us: “When clean air is treated as optional, health becomes negotiable.”   Taking place at a critical moment in the global health agenda, the discussion reinforced that clean air must be a core pillar of NCD prevention.   Thank you to all the speakers, the partners, and the NCD Alliance. Photos: ©Gilberto Lontro/NCD Alliance

UICC's 2025 Annual Report is now available. It highlights progress across key priority areas, including people-centred care, women’s and lung cancers, improving health systems for cancer control, and increasing access to quality-assured cancer medicines and technologies. We extend our sincere thanks to our members and partners worldwide for their continued support and collaboration. Discover the full report: https://lnkd.in/dXin7HkF

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of cancer care, with applications enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis to treatment planning, patient monitoring, and supportive care. How can artificial intelligence be leveraged to improve cancer outcomes while safeguarding patient trust, safety, and equity? UICC is pleased to convene 'AI serving better patient outcomes' with support from partner Amgen during the #WHA79 to discuss this and other key questions. 📅 Register now to join us on Thursday 21 May 🕐 10:00-12:00 CEST 📍 UICC offices 👉 https://lnkd.in/djxf4YGg

UICC was delighted to host the #WHA79 side event “Five years of the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative: Championing progress, accelerating action”.    The event was sponsored by the Ministries of Health of Botswana, Egypt and Indonesia, and the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), with the support of the World Health Organization, showcasing country-led efforts to accelerate action to reduce breast cancer mortality, and reach the 60:60:80 targets.   Speakers highlighted the fundamental need and value of cancer registries, and how data can be used to inform strategies and monitor progress; pragmatic opportunities to reduce the stage at diagnosis even in low-resource settings, including strengthening patient navigation, supporting integration, and raising awareness amongst populations; alongside achievements in strengthening infrastructure and workforce for radiotherapy, and genetic testing.    A sincere thank you to our esteemed speakers and to Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, UICC President-elect, for her welcome and H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, for her video message.

Don't forget to tune into 'From Global Commitments to Integrated Lung Health Action, a #WHA79 side event taking place in 30 minutes! 🌐 Watch it live: https://lnkd.in/df-m_Zky. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers from across global health, including: 🔸 Hon Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health of Malaysia 🔸 Hon Aden Duale E.G.H, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Kenya 🔸 Hon Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of Health, Philippines 🔸 Dr Draurio Barreira, Director of the Department of HIV/AIDS, TB, Viral Hepatitis, STIs, Ministry of Health, Brazil 🔸 Rasika Bombatkar, lived experience of lung cancer and patient research advocate, Lung Connect India Foundation 🔸 Prof Dorothy Keefe, CEO, Cancer Australia 🔸 Dr Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, Executive Director, The Union 🔸 José Luis Castro, WHO Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases 🔸 Alison Cox, Policy and Advocacy Director, NCD Alliance 🔸 Moderated by UICC's Sonali Johnson 📅 Join us in person in Room C at the WHO Headquarters. 🕐 13:00–14:30 ❗WHA accreditation is necessary to access the venue.

#IARC60 is taking place in Lyon 🇫🇷 until Thursday 21 May - an event to celebrate IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization's 60 years of research and to set challenges for the next 60 years of #cancerprevention!    UICC is a proud supporter and looks forward to participating in a range of sessions. If you’re at IARC, find us at our booth – and reach out to Sally Hopkins and Laila Harras-Pelletier.   Read our recent interview with Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, IARC, as she reflects on the past 60 years of IARC.    Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dU5SXrAN

UICC was delighted to co-host the side event ‘Building people-centred cancer systems: advancing rights, equity and support across the care pathway,’ with McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, at UICC’s offices this morning.   People-centred care extends beyond traditional notions of patient engagement. It is a matter of human rights, and social and economic resilience. With 53.5 million people alive within 5 years following diagnosis, as of 2022, it is critical that we listen to those affected and ensure availability and access to legal protections and social supports to enable people impacted by cancer to thrive.    The session showcased opportunities to strengthen people-centred care across different contexts, including the return on investment of strengthening workplace accommodations. People-centred care is not only a health system issue, but requires a whole-of-society approach.   Thank you to the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, and our speakers, Hayley Jones, Nisreen Qatamish, Dr Fatima Cardoso, and Dr Andre Ilbawi. #WHA79 #CancerControl