The Sixth “China-ASEAN Cancer Prevention and Control Training Program” was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China last November 30 to December 4, 2023 and Philippine Cancer Center was privileged to represent the Government of the Philippines, one of the 14 ASEAN member states who attended this activity. This was hosted by the ASEAN-China Women and Children’s Health Cooperation Center (ACWCC), in collaboration with the Training Center of Peking Union Medical College and Wu Lien-The Public Foundation.
This training program became a vibrant platform for exchanging knowledge, enhancement of professional skills, building friendships, and fostering mutual understanding and broader collaborations between China and ASEAN countries in cancer. A confluence of thematic lectures and group discussions encompassing topics on cancer epidemiology, comprehensive programs in cancer prevention, screening and control in low-middle income countries, cancer registry and health information systems and the role of telemedicine, digital technology and other innovations in cancer early detection, diagnosis and treatment were the agenda for the entire training program. The lectures were delivered by 29 renowned speakers coming from World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Seoul National University College of Medicine (SNUCM), Chinese University of Hongkong (CUHK) Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), and Tencent Sustainable Social Value Lab for Inclusive Health, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical sciences, School of Population Medicine and Public Health of PUMC, and other related institutes.
Field visits in Futian District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hongli District of Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and Shenzhen BGI Genomics Center, were also conducted to gain practical learning on how these different institutions in China implement their strategies toward cancer prevention and control. The last part of the program entails presentation of the country’s initiatives on cancer prevention and control. Dr. Carol V. Narra, Medical Officer V and Division Chief of the Cancer Control Research Division of the Philippine Cancer Center presented and joined the panel together with representatives from the Ministries of Health of Thailand and Brunei Darussalam.
Author: Dr. Carol Villegas-Narra, M.D., MPH
Medical Officer V | Division Chief – Cancer Control Research Division (CCRD)
Event Date: November 30, 2023 to December 04, 2023
Published: September 18, 2024