Last month, we had the privilege of attending the World Cancer Congress, one of the most impactful gatherings of healthcare professionals, private sector representatives, researchers, and advocates from around the world. Organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the summit was a powerful opportunity to discuss global strategies and form long standing networks that span the globe.

Our CEO and Founder, Stewart O’Callaghan, flew across to Geneva to speak on issues highlighting the need for LGBTIQ+ inclusivity in cancer care. We are grateful to the gracious support of Cancer Fonden for celebrating our breast cancer screening campaign Best for my My Chest in their “Uniting for equity in cancer control” report, and inviting us to speak in an in-person session on the importance of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in early detection in cancer. In addition, Stewart also delivered a virtual talk with Alison Berner, Alberto Giovanni Leone, Dario Trapani and Filippo Pietrantonio on the inclusion of transgender communities in cancer care. [Please visit the WCC website and app to stream the pre-recorded session]

The summit offered a comprehensive programme, with plenaries, sessions and lively debates, covering a range of topics across the cancer pathway from prevention, detection and care, to forging a way forward in global policy. Although it was our first time at a Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) event, we were lucky to have crossed paths with some old friends from the European Cancer Organisation and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Attending the World Cancer Congress not only deepened our understanding of the latest global perspectives and developments in oncology but also showcased the growing interest in LGBTIQ+ cancer issues as an important topic. This reinforced our vigour and commitment to continue our work and keep addressing essential challenges facing the LGBTIQ+ community in cancer care space. 

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