The latest cancer statistics show that the cancer burden is expected to rise to 18.1million new cases and 9.6million cancer deaths in 2018 globally. Kenya has less than 30 cancer specialists mostly in the urban settings against an increasing cancer population currently documented at 43,000 patients across the country illuminating a dire professional deficit and much needed concerted effort by all players to curb the catastrophic effects of cancer burden.

Cancer control research therefore seeks to identify and evaluate means of reducing cancer morbidity and mortality and thereby improving the quality of life of people living with, recovering from or dying of cancer. Knowledge of the facts and statistics, plausible risk factors of disease and emergent complexes, suitable interventions in response as well as the policies and frameworks that help facilitate cancer control is essential in reducing incidents, rates and mortality due to cancer. Through research, cancer experts are able to tackle cancer with community and country/region specific interventions.

The 5th International Cancer Conference in 2018 by KESHO hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Kenya, brought together an average of more than 250 participants each conference day. They comprised both delegates and partners whose profile ranged from oncologists, radiologists, pharmacists, medical officers and a myriad of players in cancer management and treatment including health authorities and experts from the state, non-governmental organizations and projects working in screening and surveillance of risk and crisis management as well as scientists, advocacy groups and individuals/persons living with cancer to discuss integrating cancer treatment practice and research. More than30% of the participants, were doctors with the rest being diverse practitioners mitigating cancer related complexes. It was an opportunity to review and evaluate performance and discuss various advances made so far in cancer treatment and management both locally and globally and how to embrace them as well as create a platform to decentralize cancer information from few experts to devolved layers in cancer management such as general physicians and caregivers at county level. The program included diverse content from renowned experts in several related fields and a well versed keynote speaker from around the world and local clinical specialists and practitioners in research, policy makers and cancer advocates to infuse a more holistic perspective.

The conference format included plenary sessions, context specific breakout sessions, illustrative exhibitions by sector players, workshops including research workshop facilitated by international and local researchers who steer participants in navigating the enormous dilemma in conducting research (quantitative and qualitative), grant writing and getting published and the first ever KESHO-ASCO Joint Symposium showcasing KESHO members and ASCO faculty tackling cases in the setting of precision medicine and immunotherapy. Additionally, there were social activities linked and tilted to the conference activities and themes such as a Gala Dinner by Texas Cancer Centre in Kenya enriched by a fashion show with cancer survivor runway models and a Cancer awareness concert by renowned celebrity artists.

The theme of the conference in 2018 was ‘Integrating Research and Practice’ with the main objective being to highlight the research work centred on cancer treatment and management and create a platform for local, regional and international health care providers to present their work, hear from each other, learn and encourage collaboration.