In its renewed commitment to transforming cancer care in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) organised a two-day symposium themed “From Screening to Survivorship: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Breast, Cervical, Colorectal, and Hepatobiliary Cancers.” This year’s event marked the 11th edition of the Annual International Oncology Symposium.
Delivering his welcome address, Co-convener Prof. Olusegun Alatise stressed that the symposium equips healthcare professionals with the tools, insights, and collaborations necessary to enhance cancer treatment outcomes across the care continuum. He noted that participants would have the opportunity to learn directly from regional leaders in the field and international experts.
Prof. Alatise explained that experts would provide in-depth information and hands-on training on the strategic roles of early detection and diagnosis, timely treatment, palliative care, and the vital phase of survivorship in Nigeria and beyond. He emphasised that this renewed commitment would engage multiple specialities, including Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Interventional Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Gynaecological Oncology, Oncology Pharmacy, Oncologic Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science.
Expressing his delight at hosting this year’s conference, Prof. Alatise said his greatest motivation has been the consistent positive feedback received nationally and internationally. While commending the participants, he reiterated ARGO’s mission to ensure that people do not die needlessly from cancer, describing it as a curse. He lamented that 80 percent of patients present late at hospitals, making treatment cumbersome and often ineffective. According to him, a permanent cure for cancer can only be achieved if detected early and managed with prompt medical attention, adding that there is a limit to what doctors can do when cases present late.
In his remarks, Co-convener Dr. Peter Kingham from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center highlighted the importance of friendship and collaboration in ARGO’s successes over the years. He described Prof. Alatise as a committed ally, “almost like a surgical magician,” who consistently delivers the best results. Dr. Kingham also appreciated the participants for their dedication and sense of responsibility.
Represented by Prof. Olufemi Koya, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Simeon Bamire commended ARGO’s efforts in tackling the menace of cancer, a major health challenge affecting all social groups low, middle, and high-income earners. Prof. Bamire observed that Nigeria’s fragile health infrastructure, coupled with the late presentation of cancer cases, has negatively impacted treatment outcomes over the years. However, he expressed optimism that ARGO’s multidisciplinary approach, where multiple specialists collaborate at every stage of treatment, brings renewed hope. He described the initiative as both appropriate and timely.
He further announced that the university takes pride in its groundbreaking medical achievements, including rib transplantations, cardiothoracic procedures, endoscopy, pediatric and gynaecological surgeries, minimally invasive and laparoscopic operations, ophthalmic surgeries, and ECPR.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Medical Director OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi, expressed confidence in the ARGO team led by Prof. Alatise. He stressed that cancer spares no one, but milestones can be achieved through collaboration among medical professionals. Prof. Okeniyi also encouraged participants to take time to explore the tourism sites in Ile-Ife during their stay.
In their goodwill messages, the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Services, College of Health Sciences, OAU, Prof. Ayo Salako, and the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, OAU, Prof. Bernice Adegbehingbe, pledged continued support for ARGO, with a focus on research and training as key pillars of improved patient care.
Also speaking was the Head of the National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, who was a special guest, emphasised the importance of government participation in such initiatives. He noted that government involvement would complement the organisers’ efforts and ensure that the key messages from the symposium receive the proper attention from policymakers at the federal level.
It will be recalled that ARGO was established in 2013 as the first African National Cancer Institute–approved Colorectal Cancer Consortium, in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, USA, and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Since its inception, ARGO has focused on improving cancer care in Africa through training, research, and scientifically sound projects to address evidence gaps in oncology practice across the continent.
