On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the ARCON 7th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting, tagged “ARCON Ibadan 2024,” it gives me optimal pleasure to welcome you all to the ancient city of Ibadan, the largest city by geographical area in Africa. We are honored to have you join us for what promises to be an engaging and inspiring scientific gathering.
Our committee is working diligently to create an event that not only showcases the best of a city that pioneered many notable achievements in Nigeria and West Africa—such as the first university in Nigeria (University of Ibadan), the first television station in Africa (Nigeria Television Authority), and the first teaching hospital in West Africa (University College Hospital)—but also provides a platform for fruitful discussions, networking, and collaboration. Your participation will greatly enrich this event, and we are eager to hear your insights and contributions.
This year, the Scientific Conference theme is “Cancer Control in Nigeria: Actions for Impact,” which is a testament to our shared commitment to renewed interest in cancer care in Nigeria. Nigerians spend over $1.3 billion on overseas medical and cancer treatment tourism annually, a whopping expenditure that could significantly boost Nigeria’s health facilities.
Although the federal government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Health and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has developed several Cancer Control Plans aimed at reducing the occurrence and improving the outcomes of cancer cases by providing comprehensive cancer centers, we believe that fighting cancer is an enormous task that cannot be handled by the government alone. It requires committed partners and generous supporters who can provide cancer centers and facilities with high-end radiotherapy equipment across our nation through public-private partnerships, thereby making comprehensive cancer treatment more effective. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer.
We also believe there are untapped resources that can help change the narratives of cancer and its burden in our societies. This year’s event is starting with:
1. Medical outreach on Saturday, 7th September 2024.
2. Followed by a Pre-Conference workshop on Monday, 9th and Tuesday, 10th September 2024, focusing on:
• Breast cancer contouring
• Clinical trials and grant acquisition training.
With renewed interest in cancer care in Nigeria and the emergence of new cancer centers and facilities equipped with high-end radiotherapy equipment, it has become imperative for us to have meaningful practical engagements on the new technologies, workflows, and capabilities of these machines to optimize treatment outcomes. We are prioritizing breast cancer, being the most common malignancy, and the need to improve contouring and treatment planning to minimize late toxicity in survivors. Often, some patients experience reduced quality of life due to the side effects of treatment even when the disease is well controlled.
We also recognize the need to train our oncologists on clinical trial skills and other areas of research, as well as the skills needed to successfully apply for grants to conduct studies that will impact cancer care.
3. The main conference, with the theme “Cancer Control in Nigeria: Actions for Impact,” will run from Wednesday, 11th to Friday, 13th September 2024. We will be discussing the implementation of cancer care activities that will improve cancer indices in Nigeria, evaluating factors that impact cancer outcomes, and promoting access to cancer care facilities for Nigerians. The subthemes will allow us to:
• Explore how we can take advantage of opportunities provided by public-private partnerships to upscale access to care.
• Enhance and promote training and research for quality care.
It is our hope that through the sessions, workshops, and informal gatherings, we will all gain new perspectives, forge new connections, and find renewed inspiration to advance our work.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose efforts have been instrumental in bringing this event to life. Their support has been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate their contributions. My sincere thanks to the BOT members, President, and NEC of our great association (ARCON) for the privilege of organizing this unique event.
Let us make the most of this opportunity to learn, share, and grow together. I look forward to seeing you in Ibadan this September.
Sincerely yours
Dr Afolabi Adebayo Oladeji
Chairman, Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
