The 5th Annual Malawi Cancer Symposium was held Sept 6-7 at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe. Organized by the Malawi Ministry of Health in collaboration with the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and UNC Project Malawi Cancer Program, the event provided a dynamic platform for information sharing and discussion for local and international stakeholders in cancer research, care, and advocacy. Despite growing initiatives to enhance the lives and outcomes for cancer patients in the country, cancer remains a significant public health concern.

Welcome

The 5th Annual Malawi Cancer Symposium featured keynote speaker, Dr. Susan C. Msadabwe-Chikuni, a Clinical and Radiation Oncologist at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Zambia. Dr. Msadabwe-Chikuni shared insights on the burden of cancer in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and the future of it. She presented on the expectation for cancer cases to double in SSA by 2040, and highlighted the need for “impactful strategies” and the development of cancer control plans.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health also presented the national cancer strategy, and updates from Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) outlined developments in the National Cancer Treatment Center. The day included presentations from a representative of AORTIC, from three community-based organizations, an inspiring story of a cancer survivor, and training opportunities from UNC Project. The second day began with crucial updates from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and pediatric cancer research, as well as a presentation by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) on cervical cancer. The day concluded with an Esophageal Cancer study update, and a session on Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) integration by Partners in Health, followed by a touching tribute to the late Dr. Bongani Kaimila.

Abstracts

This year’s theme “Close the Care Gap” followed the global theme for World Cancer, with a focus on “uniting our voices and taking action.” Fifteen abstracts were presented during the Symposium.

• Lusayo Simwinga, a medical officer at UNC Project presented an abstract titled “Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Survival for Patients Without Metastatic Disease in A Prospective Breast Cancer Cohort in Malawi”

“Breast cancer patients in our setting continue to have poor prognosis due to late presentation among other factors,” said Simwinga describing her study. “Despite being a limited resource setup, pathologically confirmed diagnoses are made and patients are staged after which treatment options of chemotherapy, surgery with or without hormonal therapy are given to the patients.”

Other abstract presenters included:

• Fred Chimzimu a cytologist at Kamuzu Central Hospital Pathology Laboratory presented an abstract titled “The Contribution of Patients and Health System Factors to The Diagnosis Breast Cancer Among Female Patients Presenting at Kamuzu Central Hospital”
• Beatrice Matanje, the Medical Director for Partners in Health/APZU and Judith Kanyema a palliative care nurse at Partners in Health/APZU presented an abstract titled “The Impact of Palliative Care Service Decentralization to Peripheral Health Facilities: Case of Neno Palliative Care Program, Malawi”
• Sam Makuti a Senior M&E Officer at Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi under the Global Hematology & Oncology Program presented an abstract titled “Providing Psychosocial Support to Children Diagnosed with Cancer in Malawi Using A Sleep Away Camp/Family Weekend Model”

  

• Maganizo Chagomerana an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and the Director of the Analysis and Manuscript unit at University of North Carolina Project–Malawi presented an abstract titled “Characterizing HIV Status Documentation Among Cancer Patients at Regional Cancer Centres In Malawi, Zimbabwe, And South Africa
• Agatha Bula the Director of Nursing at UNC Project Malawi and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UNC School of Nursing in Chapel Hill presented an abstract titled “Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Integrating HIV- and Cancer-Related Service Delivery in Malawi, Zimbabwe, And South Africa”
• Casey McAtee a pediatric hematologist-oncologist working at KCH for Texas Children’s Global HOPE program presented an abstract titled “Feasibility of Curative-Intent Pediatric AML Therapy in A Low Resource Setting: A Report from Lilongwe, Malawi, 2015-2022”

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  Rizine Mzikamanda a Pediatric hematologist-oncologist working with Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi presented an abstract titled “Impact of Early Mortality and Treatment Abandonment on The Prognostic Value of Minimal Residual Disease and Immunophenotype In Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Sub-Saharan Africa”

• Beatrice Kabota a Public Health specialist currently working as National Coordinator for Malawi Scotland Cervical Cancer screening and Mentoring project (MALSCOT) presented an abstract titled “Exploring Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) And Attending Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Clinic at Nkhoma Hospital, Malawi”
• Fraser Tembo an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with specialty in design, analysis and reporting of health information systems with Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi presented an abstract titled “Implementation of HPV Screening for Women Living with HIV At Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi Supported Health Facilities in Malawi”
• Nicholas Teodoro is an obstetrician and gynecologist and investigator in the Women’s Cancer Research Division at the Clinical HIV Research Unit in Johannesburg, SA presented an abstract titled “Cervical Cancer Screening and Combination Treatment for Cervical Precancer: Perspectives of South African Women Living with HIV And Male Partners”
• Tarsizious Chikaonda a data scientist with UNC Project Malawi presented an abstract titled “Management and Outcomes of Low-Grade Lymphomas in A Prospective Lymphoma Cohort in Malawi”
• Jenny Coelho a PhD student working under Dr. Yuri Fedoriw at UNC Chapel Hill presented an abstract titled “Immune Cell Populations in The DLBC TME are Influenced By HIV/ART and Impact Survival”
• Marriam Mponda a medical officer with UNC Project Malawi presented an abstract titled “A Prospective Cohort Study of Patients with Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated with ABVD (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) In Malawi: Excellent Outcomes but with Persistent Clinical Disparities Compared to High-Income Countries”

The Symposium provided a successful platform for both local and international cancer research, for patient care and advocacy stakeholders to exchange information, highlight strategic priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration, personal development, and training aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in Malawi. Find a full list of Symposium presenters here.