The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)-an alliance of leading cancer centers in the United States-is joining the African Cancer Coalition (ACC) to update cancer treatment recommendations during the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2025 Global Academy Regional Workshop: Sub-Saharan Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya, June 9-11.
The ACS Global Academy Regional Workshop brings together oncology specialists from around the world to improve treatment and support for people with cancer. The three-day workshop includes two days devoted to updating NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) adapted specifically for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Additional workshops will focus on improving utilization of those guidelines, navigation programs, and provider tools.
The ACS Global Academy Regional Meetings aim to provide a productive and dedicated space for providers to learn from one another, engage in discourse, and reach consensus on regional needs. Continuing the collaboration with ACC and NCCN on the development and update of NCCN Harmonized Guidelines™ provides an essential framework to better understand localized needs and priorities, a key part of this regional meeting in Nairobi."
Anu Agrawal, MD, Vice President, Global Cancer Support, American Cancer Society
NCCN Guidelines® contain the latest evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive care. They are the most thorough and frequently updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. Approximately half of the two million registered users are from outside the United States, across 190 different countries. The NCCN Global Program oversees adapting and translating the original recommendations to be more accessible for care providers worldwide.
During the meeting, the following NCCN Harmonized Guidelines™ for Sub-Saharan will be updated:
- Anal Carcinoma
- Biliary Tract Cancers
- Bladder Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN)
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Kidney Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Penile Cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Uterine Neoplasms
- Vulvar Cancer
We have been working in collaboration with experts from ACC across the Sub-Saharan Africa area and ACS for many years to share guidelines that are both aspirational and pragmatic. In that time, we have seen improved capacity in cancer-related resources and care, but we have also seen increased cancer rates for the people who live in this region. Our commitment to collaborate with leading experts in the region to maintain and update treatment recommendations, based on the latest research and local circumstances, is more important than ever."
Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN
Dr. Denlinger is representing NCCN at the meeting, along with Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Chair, NCCN Guidelines Panel for Cervical/Uterine Cancers; Al Benson, MD, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chair, NCCN Guidelines Panels for Colon/Rectal/Anal Cancers and Hepatobiliary Cancers; Thomas Flaig, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Chair, NCCN Guidelines Panel for Bladder/Penile Cancers; Lisa Gurski, PhD, Manager, Licensed Clinical Content, NCCN; Vaishnavi Sambandam, PhD, Oncology Scientist/Medical Writer, NCCN; and Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, MPH, Director, Global Program, NCCN.
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