Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)
The African Cancer Institute (ACI) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University (SU), has formed a partnership with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to focus on cancer research regarding public health, primary care, nursing, and rehabilitation sciences to build capacity for basic and advanced cancer care. The partnership was launched on Thursday 30th June 2016 at a cancer research symposium at the FMHS with key experts addressing various aspects linked to vaccination against cervical cancer, rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors, smoking and cancer, nutrition in cancer management, funding opportunities for research and current research activities related to cancer.
“The two institutions will work together to strengthen and accelerate innovative research in selected priority areas and translate cancer prevention and control knowledge into public health action. Given the research diverse platforms within the ACI and its international and regional networks, and the various outreach initiatives of CANSA, such as its volunteer-based programme, care services, toll-free line, and health promotion activities, this partnership will harness the strengths of both institutions in reducing disparities in cancer morbidity and mortality in South Africa with potential extension to neighbouring countries.” – Professor Vikash Sewram, Director of the ACI
“I am delighted about this partnership with the ACI that will contribute to enhancing cancer control in South Africa. We believe that this partnership is going to be of immense value to deal with the neglected areas regarding cancer linked to health promotion, social sciences research, health systems and services research, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, nutrition, primary care and oncology nursing.” – Elize Joubert, CANSA’s CEO
“I am delighted by the official launch of this partnership and the possibilities that this holds for collaborative research projects between the ACI and CANSA. The FMHS and CANSA have had a longstanding relationship in terms of cancer research, with SU involved in a large number of CANSA-funded research studies over many years. In 2013, SU and CANSA partnered to host the 2013 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit (WCLS) welcome dinner in Cape Town, an illustrious event where the ACI was also officially launched. We therefore see this next step as a natural progression in our combined efforts over a sustained period of many years to make a difference in the fight against cancer in South Africa and on the African continent.” – Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean of Research at the FMHS
