ARGO to advance Africa cancer care through AI, precision medicine
Prof. Olusegun Alatise, Head of Department, Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, says the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) is advancing cancer care through Artificial Intelligence (AI), precision medicine and research.
Alatise, who is the Convener of the 12th Annual International Oncology Symposium, made this known at the institution’s College of Health Sciences Auditorium on Wednesday.
The two-day symposium, was themed: “The New Frontier in Cancer Care: Leveraging AI, Precision Medicine, and Innovative Research to Enhance Cancer Care in Africa.”
He said that the symposium would strengthen oncology expertise, research capacity and multidisciplinary cancer care, particularly in breast, cervical, colorectal and hepatobiliary cancers.
The consultant general surgeon added that pre-conference activities included microvascular surgery, gynaecological oncology surgery, breast oncoplasty workshops and Nigerian Cancer Research Training (NCAT) programme.
According to him, ARGO, established in 2013, has grown into a 36-institution consortium, generating cancer databases, biobanks and research to strengthen capacity and improve cancer outcomes across Africa.
The Oncologist explained that the symposium would equip healthcare professionals with cutting-edge knowledge, practical skills and collaborative networks to improve cancer outcomes from early detection and diagnosis to treatment, palliative care and survivorship.
He stated that the participants would engage with regional and international experts in surgery, radiology, pathology, medical oncology, interventional radiology, gynaecological oncology, oncology pharmacy, nursing and laboratory science.
He urged government to partner with oncology professionals by subsidising cancer treatment and surgery to make them affordable, while supporting training of Nigerian professionals to meet international standards.
Prof. Fatimah AbdulKareem, one of the Principal Investigators for ARGO, said that the conference would expose oncologists to new developments and treatment modalities to improve patient care and survival.
Dr Peter Kingham, Co-Founder of ARGO, said rising cancer rates required multidisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, nurses, gynaecologists, pharmacists and other professionals to achieve better patient outcomes.
Kingham said that the conference had featured training in new techniques for cervical and breast cancer treatment, while researchers were also learning to use AI to improve cancer research and productivity.
Dr Victoria Mango, Assistant Director, Global Cancer Research and Training (GCRT), New York, stated that the conference provided opportunities to exchange ideas on latest cancer research and strengthen collaboration.
Mango added that the conference was aimed at improving survival among cancer patients in Nigeria.(NAN)
