2016 Summary

Malawi Cancer Consortium’s inaugural annual Malawian Cancer Symposium opened with remarks from Prof. Sam Phiri (Lighthouse Trust, College of Medicine). Following, Dr. Eugene Nyarko, the Malawi WHO Country Representative and the Symposium Guest of Honor, gave an introduction describing trends and developments in cancer care and stressing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. Subsequently, Dr. Satish Gopal (UNC, College of Medicine) presented an overview of the Malawi Cancer Consortium and scientific updates for HIV-associated lymphoma in sub-Saharan Africa. The rest of the Monday morning session, facilitated by Peter Kazembe, focused on HIV-associated malignancies. Other presenters, including Agnes Moses (UNC, College of Medicine), Lameck Chinula (UNC, College of Medicine), Reynier ter Haar (Nkhoma Hospital), and Colin Pfaff (Dignitas International), gave updates on their current work and future directions for cancer care and research in Malawi. To close the morning, the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Sharon Kapambwe (Zambia Ministry of Health), described governmental efforts in her country to scale-up cervical cancer screening and prevention nationwide.

Monday morning presentations:

agnes-moses-joe-gumulira-unc-lighthouse-kaposi-sarcoma-update

colin-pfaff-dignitas-international-integrating-cancer-care-into-hiv-care

lameck-chinula-unc-recent-updates-in-cervical-cancer

reynier-ter-haar-nkhoma-hospital-thermal-coagulation

satish-gopal-unc-malawi-cancer-consortium-overview-web

The afternoon session was full of updates, focusing on general cancer activities in Malawi. Steady Chasimpha (Malawi National Cancer Registry) highlighted the recent work of the registry, including setting up the Technical Advisory Group, strengthening data quality, and expanding outreach efforts. Tamiwe Tomoka (UNC, College of Medicine) presented on progress for diagnostic pathology in Malawi, and future pathology capacity building efforts. Richard Nyasosela (Kamuzu Central Hospital) discussed breast cancer in Malawi and presented illustrative cases highlighting common challenges from the clinical perspective. “Palliative care begins at diagnosis”, and “clinicians, place yourself in the patient’s shoes” were powerful messages emerging from palliative care presentations by Paula Fox (UNC) and Lucy Finch (Ndi Moyo). Bongani Kaimila (UNC) presented on esophageal cancer in Malawi, including planned epidemiologic studies to define reasons for high incidence, and Dr. Peter Wasswa (Baylor) discussed pediatric cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and bridging the gap in outcomes versus high-income countries. Maud Mwaskukasungula (Woman Coalition Against Cancer) provided a community perspective and emphasized empathy in cancer care. Finally, there was a broad stakeholder discussion for general cancer activities facilitated by Prof. Adamson Muula (College of Medicine). Lively discussions were held in between presentations, allowing participants to ask questions, provide comments, and seek clarifications.

Monday afternoon presentations:

peter-wasswa-baylor-paediatric-cancer-overview

richard-nyasosela-kch-breast-cancer

richard-nyasosela-kch-breast-cancer-case-presentation

steady-chasimpha-com-mncr-update

tamiwe-tomoka-steve-kamiza-unc-com-pathology-update

bongani-kaimila-gift-mulima-unc-kch-esophageal-cancer-update

maud-mwakasungula-wocaca-community-perspectives

paula-fox-lucie-finch-unc-ndi-moyo-palliative-care

Tuesday morning opened with Prof. Ron Mataya (College of Medicine, Loma Linda), who introduced the topics of cancer research career development and the larger non-communicable diseases (NCDs) agenda. Dr. Satish Gopal kicked off the session with an overview of Malawi Cancer Consortium mentoring activities. Pilot grant recipients from the consortium, Lameck Chinula, Agnes Moses, Christopher Stanley, and Bongani Kaimila, (UNC) provided progress updates for their studies. Dr. Wilbroad Mutale (University of Zambia) described NCD training programs in Zambia, and the session culminated with a lively and inspirational discussion about research career development in Malawi led by Prof. Victor Mwapasa (College of Medicine).

Tuesday morning presentations:

christopher-stanley-unc-impact-of-hiv-on-loss-to-follow-up-and-survival

agnes-moses-unc-hiv-infection-and-breast-cancer-in-malawi

bongani-kailmila-unc-hiv-and-other-risk-factors-for-esophageal-squamous-cell-carcinoma

wilbroad-mutale-uni-zambia-perspectives-from-non-cancer-research-training-programs

lameck-chinula-unc-safety-of-community-based-screen-and-treat-strategy-of-cervical-cancer-prevention

satish-gopal-unc-malawi-cancer-consortium-mentoring-activities-p20-center-of-excellence-web

The Tuesday afternoon session, facilitated by Jones Masiye (Ministry of Health), focused on the larger NCD agenda. It opened with an overview from Dr. Satish Gopal of a new grant awarded to Malawi from the United States National Cancer Institute, to develop a Regional Center of Research Excellence for NCDs. This was followed by a round table discussion among key NCD stakeholders to provide program updates and discuss shared future priorities. Discussants included: Mwapatsa Mipando (College of Medicine), Jones Masiye (Ministry of Health), Mia Crampin (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Joe Sclafani (Baylor), Mulinda Nyirenda (Johns Hopkins), Alemayehu Amberbir (Dignitas International), Carlos Varela (Kamuzu Central Hospital), Emily Wroe of (Partners in Health), and Dan Namarika (Partners in Hope).

After the round table discussion, Prof. Sam Phiri officially concluded the inaugural Malawi Cancer Symposium, wished all the attendees well, and hoped for an equally stimulating symposium next year.