Here’s a startling fact: While cancer patient navigation (PN) has been transforming lives in the U.S. for over 30 years, much of the world still doesn’t have access to this life-saving resource. But why is this critical service not reaching those who need it most? Raymond Chan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at Flinders University, is on a mission to change that. In a recent LinkedIn post, he highlighted his participation in London Global Cancer Week 2025, where he’ll be part of a groundbreaking session focused on building global momentum for patient navigation.
Chan shared, “Pleased to join ACS Global at London Global Cancer Week 2025!” and invited everyone to join Session 1: Patient Navigation: Building Global Momentum for a Vital Resource Linking Patients and Caregivers Throughout the Cancer Continuum on November 24, 7:00–8:30 AM EST. Register here.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite its proven impact on equitable access and quality of life, PN remains underutilized globally. This session aims to tackle that gap by exploring frameworks, capacity building, and advocacy to make PN universally available. But here’s where it gets controversial—how do we ensure these frameworks are culturally sensitive and financially sustainable in low-resource settings?
The lineup of speakers is nothing short of impressive:
- Anu Agrawal will emphasize the urgent need for global PN.
- Prof. Raymond Chan will dive into framework development through initiatives like the GINO Project and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC).
- Dr. Mary Nyangasi-Onyango will discuss PN integration in screening via WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative.
- Kristie McComb will share insights on capacity building through programs like BEACON and SPARK.
- Hanaa Serry and Dr. Patricia Chacón Lezana will provide real-world implementation examples from Egypt and Guatemala, respectively.
But that’s not all. London Global Cancer Week 2025 also features Session 2: Framing HPV Vaccination as Cancer Prevention—Real-Life Examples from Colombia, India, Kenya, and Nepal on November 25, 9:00–10:30 AM EST. Register here.
This session, led by the American Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK, and WHO-IARC, will spotlight how civil society organizations are using trusted messengers to boost HPV vaccine acceptance. Speakers include:
- Anu Agrawal on why framing matters for cancer prevention.
- Partha Basu on the HPV burden and the power of message framing.
- Alex Wright on the role of CSOs in shaping narratives.
- Sutapa Biswas, Benda Kithaka, Pema Lhaki, and Déborah Martínez Villarreal will share on-the-ground strategies from India, Kenya, Nepal, and Colombia.
Here’s the big question: Can global collaboration and localized strategies bridge the gap in cancer care access? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of cancer navigation worldwide.
For more insights from Raymond Chan, check out his posts on OncoDaily.
