DAY-1: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 #nicratupdate #CancerGenomics #cancerprevention #CancerControl

𝗙𝗚 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰, 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 The Federal Government is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic and the Milken Institute to improve cancer research, training of oncologist, building Capacity in Clinical trials, and Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology. To this end the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment NICRAT held a symposium on Cancer Genomic, precision Oncology Care and Community health for black population, under the theme, discover, innovate and collaborate. Cancer Genomics involves studying the genetic changes in Cancer Cells by allowing greater insights into prevention, early detection, treatment, prognosis and recurrence, while Precision Oncology is choosing treatment for cancer patients based on the DNA signature of an individual patient’s tumour. Beyond the identification of individual targetable alterations, genomic methods measure cancer mutational load, and identify cancer- specific proteins that inform the design of personalised anti-cancer medications. The Minister of state for health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, while declaring the Symposium open pointed out that the alarming burden of Cancer in recent times underscores an urgent need to move beyond conventional cancer treatment to innovative treatment regimen that suit the unique needs of any cancer patient. According to Dr. Alausa, the Nigeria Government recognise the potential of precision Medicine to revolutionalise Nigeria Healthcare Value Chain, improve cancer care outcomes hence the need for the partnership with the renowned cancer facilities such as the Mayo Clinic and Milken Institute. “It is imperative therefore that we embrace precision oncology care and understand the genetic and molecular landscape of cancers in African Black populations which will enable the development of more effective and less toxic cancer treatments in Nigeria” “Research in cancer genomics has revolutionalised our understanding of cancer development and progression. Emerging clinical applications of Cancer genomics also includes monitoring treatment responses and characterising mechanisms of resistance. As a nation, we cannot but ensure that we are part of this revolutionary movement to improve the quality and outcome of cancer care in our population” The Minister described the Symposium as a significant step towards a future where cancer care is truly personalised, every life valued and every patient story is one of hope and triumph. The DG of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Prof Usman Aliyu Malami, said the event was a step in the journey to making cancer treatment more precise, targeted and culturally relevant. “This symposium is an opportunity to engage with World renowned cancer experts and forge strategic partnerships through shared knowledge and exchange of ideas and explore the latest advancement in cancer genomics and precision Oncology” The Executive Director of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Cheryl Willman, said under the partnership, they would support Nigeria to shift from treatment of late-stage Cancer to Cancer Prevention, Early Screening and Detection to save lives, as well as establish a robust Cancer registry in Nigeria. “The creation of a National Cancer Registry in Nigeria is very important to understand which cancers are increasing in incidence, which cancers are increasing in mortality and allows the country to know how to invest in diagnostic cancer equipment” The Symposium on” Cancer Genomic, Precision Oncology care and precision community health for black population”” was organised by NICRAT in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and Milken Institute. #CancerGenomics #cancerresearch #CancerTreatment