l’importance de la prévention soulignée
Summary of the National Conference on Cancer Prevention and Control in Algeria
The National Assises on the Prevention and Control of Cancer, held in Algiers, concluded with a strong emphasis on preventive measures as a cornerstone of Algeria’s national cancer strategy for the years 2025-2035. Organized by the National Commission for Cancer Prevention and Control (CNPLCC) under the auspices of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the two-day event saw participation from approximately 625 individuals from diverse sectors related to cancer prevention and care.
The recommendations from the conference underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes prevention. Key areas of focus include enhancing public health policies, supporting legal and regulatory frameworks, ensuring inter-sectoral coordination, and mobilizing financial and human resources to sustain preventive initiatives.
Key Recommendations
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Preventive Strategy Implementation: A strategic approach focused on prevention is vital. This includes efforts to strengthen public health policies and engage various stakeholders.
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Early Detection Campaigns: Participants advocated for launching awareness campaigns using SMS and email to promote early cancer detection. There is a strong emphasis on mobilizing trained personnel to facilitate this in health centers.
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Continuous Training: Continuous education for both medical professionals and the community is essential. Collaboration with cancer patient associations was recommended to streamline these educational efforts.
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Diagnostic Improvement: To enhance diagnostics, experts proposed the establishment of a dedicated direction for laboratories within the Ministry of Health, the formation of a national scientific research committee for screening, and the creation of a computerized national medical imaging network. Unifying and digitizing examination reports were also suggested to optimize the workflow.
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Enhancing Patient Care: To improve the care pathway for cancer patients, it was recommended to increase the number of radiotherapy machines to over 90, with a distribution based on population density to ensure accessibility.
- Cancer Registries Development: The importance of cancer registries as crucial health research tools was highlighted. Participants suggested investing in their development and digitization and involving the private sector. A proposal was also made to create a national health identifier to streamline patient data management.
Conference Highlights
During the conference, Pr. Adda Bounedjar, president of the CNPLCC, noted that the discussions revolved around key risk factors for cancer, particularly tobacco use. He emphasized that early detection should be prioritized for specific cancers, including breast, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancers. The importance of timely diagnostics and appropriate patient management, particularly concerning tests and radiotherapy, was also stressed, along with the activation of social protection mechanisms to ease financial burdens on patients.
Furthermore, it was announced that a commission would be established to bring together the facilitators and rapporteurs from the conference workshops to develop the National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Cancer. This strategy will be presented to the President of Algeria. Additionally, a multisectoral committee will be formed to oversee its implementation.
Conclusion
The National Assises on Cancer highlighted a clear commitment to prioritizing prevention as a fundamental strategy in combating cancer in Algeria over the next decade. With a multifaceted approach that includes public engagement, professional training, improved diagnostic facilities, and comprehensive patient care pathways, Algeria aims to enhance its cancer control efforts significantly. The recommendations made are expected to shape the national policy framework and align resources effectively to meet the pressing challenges posed by cancer.
