"We can. I can." Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre can!

In conjunction with World Cancer Day 2017, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is honoured to announce that it will be the venue of choice for the Union for International Cancer Control’s (UICC) World Cancer Congress 2018. Themed “Strengthen. Inspire. Deliver” and hosted by the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), the Congress will take place from 1 to 4 October 2018 and is expected to attract 3,000 cancer and health professionals from over 135 countries.

The World Cancer Congress is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Its objective is to ‘unite the cancer community, reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity and integrate cancer into the world’s health and development agenda’. The Congress is held every two years and has been acknowledged by the global cancer and wider health community as the leading international conference in cancer implementation science.

Elaborating on the bid win, the Centre’s General Manager, Alan Pryor said, “It is a great honour to have been chosen to host the prestigious World Cancer Congress. The Congress adds to the list of the growing number of world conferences that have selected Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and, of course the Centre to host their high-profile events. Their choice is also a testament to Malaysia’s well-developed medical industry and the sector’s ongoing efforts to create greater awareness about cancer control.”

Pryor continued, “We look forward to working closely with UICC, NCSM and our ‘Team Malaysia’ partners – Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airports and Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) – to ensure a successful and compelling Congress that providesdelegates and visitors with amemorable and rewarding experience.”

Vice President of NCSM, Clare Ratnasingham, shared “Hosting the 2018 Congress is a significant win for Malaysia and for the region as it will be the first time that the event will be held in South-East Asia. The Congress will provide an invaluable knowledge sharing platform which will help develop the local and regional healthcare sector and its cancer-related expertise.”

“The Congress will provide a dynamic platform for participants to develop new skills and improve competencies with tools and effective methods; share knowledge and best practices with global cancer and health professionals and listen to leading experts in the area of cancer control.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to build strong and lasting connections with participants from across the whole spectrum of the cancer control and non-communicable diseases, including leaders, policy makers, scientists, researches, health workers and patient group supporters, who all play a major role in fostering international collaboration to advance cancer control globally and nationally,” concluded Ratnasingham. For more information or to register for the Congress, visit http://www.worldcancercongress.org/.

Taking place under the tagline ‘We can. I can.’, World Cancer Day 2016-2018 will explore how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, everybody has the power to take various actions to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families and communities. World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, make a pledge and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘We can. I can.’ make a difference to the fight against cancer.For more information, visit  www.worldcancerday.org/.