REGIONAL INITIATIVES
International Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates value cancer management according to the notion published
from 25–26 February 2010. The course was a recently by Sir Muir Gray and David Kerr in their book How to
multidisciplinary cancer management course (MCMC) get better value cancer care that follows the idea of a third
with interactive sessions on breast, prostate after biology revolution in health and goes with the third revolution in
and management sessions. science and industry7.
‰ Sixth SEMCO-ASCO Conference entitled International We strongly believe that the SEMCO region could attract at
Clinical Trial Workshop (ICTW) was held in Cairo, Egypt, least 10% of the international clinical cancer trials in the next
27–28 January 2011. The course covered the ten years as it has most of the required facilities and some
researchers’ need to increase clinical trials. centres are already fully equipped. Hence, SEMCO in
‰ SEMCO also arranged the Second Annual African Breast collaboration with ICEDOC, will continue holding workshops
Cancer Conference organized annually by Princess Nikky and training to increase the human capacity building for
Breast Foundation (Nigeria). The meeting was held 17–19 clinical cancer trials and for the coordination of the dispersed
March 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. and fragmented best practice in the region and to discuss with
‰ SEMCO was from the main contributor and local concerned colleagues and authorities how to find the gaps and
participant in the 8th International Cancer Conference to overcome the real obstacles that hinder achievement.
organized by AORTIC also held in Cairo from 30 Finally, we stress that SEMCO will continue to adopt the
November – 3 December 2011. ICEDOC’s message that states “ICEDOC is a message of
scientific cooperation in all fields of cancer control and
The upcoming events and activities for 2013–14 and management and love for all in the world”. Hence, SEMCO and
beyond ICEDOC will continue to enhance partnerships with all their
SEMCO and ICEDOC will concentrate more on educational alliances and welcome any constructive collaboration. l
events and training that enhance more balanced
multidisciplinary cancer management and control. This will Professor Dr Ahmed Elzawawy is the President of ICEDOC
disseminate the concepts and skills to establish more scientific and ICEDOC's Experts in Cancer and Director of The South and
care for cancer in the older population, palliative integrated East Mediterranean College of Oncology (SEMCO) www.semco-
oncology, the forgotten issue of more global care for oncology.info. He is the President-elect of The African
professional cancer providers as an essential part of any Organization for Research and Training in Cancer ( AORTIC),
hoped for improvement of cancer control. There will be special and a member of the Advisory Board of AfrOX, a member of The
emphasis on the partnership between the scientific activities ESMO Developing Countries Task Force, and the International
of international win-win initiatives that aim at an increase in Coordinator of The Win-Win Initiative that aims at increased
affordability and more access for better value cancer affordability of better value cancer treatment
management tailored to patients and to each community5, 6. http://www.icedoc.org/winwin.htm.
ICEDOC and SEMCO will make every effort in the Locally in Egypt, he is the Founder Chairman of Clinical
upcoming years to contribute with international bodies to the Oncology department in Suez Canal University, Ismailia, and in
dissemination and wide adoption of new concepts, better Al Soliman Hospital, Port Said, Egypt.
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1.
World bank, data, countries and economics, Egypt. [home page, c2000]. Available http://www.icedoc.org/
from http://data.worldbank.org/country/egypt-arab-republic. 5.
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Ferlay J, Shin H, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C, Parkin D GLOBOCAN 2008, Cancer 6.
Ahmed Elzawawy (2012). Science and Affordability of Cancer Drugs and
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140 CANCER CONTROL 2013