Leading cancer experts from across the globe have gathered in Kenya’s capital for a high-level workshop focused on improving cancer treatment and support services across Sub-Saharan Africa. The event, hosted as part of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) 2025 Global Academy Regional Workshop, brings together oncologists, researchers, and health policymakers for three days of intensive collaboration.
Held from June 9 to 11, the Nairobi gathering includes a major initiative to update and regionalize the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology—commonly known as the NCCN Guidelines®. These guidelines, developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in the United States, represent some of the most rigorous and widely used evidence-based cancer care protocols in the world.
In partnership with the African Cancer Coalition (ACC), the workshop aims to tailor these guidelines to better meet the clinical realities of Sub-Saharan Africa. Updates will cover a broad range of cancers including cervical, colon, bladder, kidney, ovarian, testicular, and others.
Dr. Anu Agrawal, Vice President of Global Cancer Support at the American Cancer Society, emphasized the importance of locally relevant guidelines: “This gathering provides an opportunity to refine strategies that reflect both global standards and regional needs. It’s about empowering African care providers with tools that work in their specific context.”
Attending on behalf of the NCCN, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger highlighted the progress made in the region, including improved cancer awareness and growing clinical capacity. However, she also acknowledged rising cancer rates and the need for ongoing support: “Collaborating with African experts ensures the guidelines remain both scientifically sound and practically applicable.”
The workshop also includes sessions on patient navigation, provider training tools, and expanding access to early screening and palliative care. Special attention is being given to cancers with high prevalence in the region, such as cervical and liver cancer.
With more than 2 million global users of the NCCN Guidelines®, roughly half based outside the U.S., the organization’s international engagement has become a key pillar of its mission. The Global Academy meeting in Nairobi reflects a broader shift toward inclusive, regionally adapted health policy and practice.
As cancer becomes an increasingly urgent public health concern across Africa, experts say collaborative efforts like these will play a vital role in reducing mortality, improving quality of life, and building sustainable oncology infrastructure.