Folakemi T. Odedina, PhD (shown left), Joint Professor in Radiation Oncology, Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, has been invited to participate in the 2019 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The invitation-only event, with attendance open to UICC full members, partners and select leaders from the global health and cancer communities, will take place October 13-17 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
“I’m really delighted to receive the invitation!” said Dr. Odedina. “The summit is the most important annual, high-level policy meeting dedicated exclusively to influencing global decisions which impact cancer control. The event brings together 350 key decision makers from around the world and encourages timely debate on emerging global issues related to cancer. It provides a vital forum to secure a global, cross-sector response and ensure accountability in addressing a significant non-communicable disease (NCD).”
The focus of this year’s event is “Cancer and Universal Health Coverage”, which will examine the expansion of access to quality preventive, early detection, treatment and care for cancer. Current issues discussed will include perspectives on the relationship between strong, sustainable health systems and the effective prevention and control of NCDs, promoting health equity in access to cancer services, and priority setting as part of the progressive realization of UHC.
