The conference, the first in Ghana after the maiden edition in Cairo, Egypt, is expected to attract more than 175 attendees from across Africa and the world.

The conference will bring to bear the most up-to-date information on basic science and translational and clinical research in lectures and discussion sessions to harness expertise and resources to address the increasing problem of higher incidence and mortality of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers in Africa.

Conference

The Peter and Frances Georgeson Professor of Gastroenterology Cancer Research at the Mayo Clinic, Dr Lewis Roberts, told the Daily Graphic from his base in the United States of America that the conference, to be held from August 23-28, 2023 is in collaboration with the Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases, was timely in view of the high level of deaths recorded on the continent from cancers of the liver and pancreas, among others.

He said that in many instances, these types of cancers could be prevented by Hepatitis B vaccination, treatment of the underlying cause — such as Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, improved diet and exercise, to prevent the development of fatty liver or diabetes, and the elimination of aflatoxins from our diets.

“If they do develop, the cancers can be effectively treated if detected early.

Therefore, it is important to institute health system improvements to identify those persons at highest risk of these cancers and perform regular cancer screening tests,” Dr Roberts said.

African scientists

He added that “African scientists need to clearly understand and discover the genetics and origins of such cancers to be in a better position to find the right solutions to prevent them, or address them early enough to prevent deaths.”

Dr Roberts further noted that the mission of the AHPBCC is to expand knowledge on the epidemiology, etiology, pathobiology and prognosis of liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancers by: Fostering collaborations between researchers in different countries; providing a framework for the efficient conduct and publication of original pooled analyses; and Providing a forum and framework for discussion, development, and pursuit of research and treatment initiatives.

It is also meant to help in supporting the development of early career researchers and medical professionals.

“The vision of the AHPBCC is to establish, develop, and support the efforts of a highly skilled network of liver, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancer researchers, and clinicians on the African continent and worldwide.

Funding

He said the organisers have obtained funds from several foundations and organisations, including an R13 grant award from the US National Cancer Institute, to help bring scientists and clinicians from throughout the continent to the conference in Ghana.

“We are currently soliciting additional support, specifically to include early-career investigator travel and funding seed grant collaborations between investigators in Africa and the United States and Europe for studies focused on hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers,” he added.

“We look forward to building on the past success for the 2023 scientific conference in Accra, Ghana,” Dr Roberts said.