KUCHING: Sarawak will take centre stage in regional cancer prevention efforts when it hosts the 13th Asian Pacific Organisation for Cancer Prevention (APOCP) General Assembly and Scientific Conference from Sept 28 to 30 this year.
A delegation of medical experts and advocacy leaders paid a courtesy call on Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah on Tuesday (Feb 24) to formally invite her to deliver the keynote address at the upcoming assembly.
APOCP president and organising chair Prof Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy said the conference comes at a crucial time as cancer continues to be a leading cause of mortality across the region.
“Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in our region. With rapid changes in lifestyle and demographics, regional collaboration is no longer just an option – it is a necessity to reduce preventable deaths.”
During the meeting, organisers also proposed the establishment of a Sarawak Equity Participation Fund, seeking RM50,000 in support to ensure broader participation beyond the scientific community.
The fund aims to sponsor between 30 and 35 Sarawak-based NGO representatives, cancer survivors and female students, particularly those from rural and underserved districts, to attend the conference.
“It is vital that local community voices are heard. We want to ensure that survivors and advocates from across Sarawak can engage directly with international experts on issues such as financial navigation, returning to work and rural healthcare access.”
The conference, themed around precision prevention and health equity, is expected to draw between 500 and 800 delegates to The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching.
In addition to technical symposia, a special Cancer Survivor Workshop will be organised in collaboration with the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), focusing on the practical and psychosocial challenges faced by individuals after a cancer diagnosis.
