Evolving scientific advances have led to significant gains in survival and improvements in morbidity and mortality for patients with lung cancer in recent years. However, improved treatments are only effective when they reach patients. And unfortunately, in many parts of the world, patients still do not have access to the latest therapies.
IASLC CEO Karen Kelly, MD, wants to change that, and said she hopes the speakers at tonight’s Opening Plenary Session will speak to solutions to this global issue that can be implemented quickly.
The Opening Plenary Session with Distinguished Service Award Presentations will take place from 18:15-20:00 PDT tonight, Saturday, September 7, in the Plenary Hall at the San Diego Convention Center.
“As wonderful as it has been to have seen all the clinically relevant, paradigm-shifting advances in recent years, such advances have raised our awareness of the growing health inequity around the world.,” Dr. Kelly said. “We often can’t get newer drugs and other treatments where they are needed most, which is heartbreaking.”
Dr. Kelly, who will lead a panel discussion during the session, said she wants to hear pragmatic solutions that can be implemented in the near future and beyond.
“I think everyone is aware of the problems; we need action,” she said. “I also want to hear ideas about how IASLC can further foster global collaborations. How can we play a bigger role in working with global leaders to implement strategies to decrease lung cancer mortality and morbidity?”
18:15-20:00 PDT, Saturday, September 7
Plenary Hall, San Diego Convention Center
Opening Plenary Session with Distinguished Service Award Presentations
Don’t miss the Opening Plenary Session, which will feature several talks from influential experts in the thoracic oncology community, a panel discussion, and the presentation of the 2024 Distinguished Service Awards.
The session will begin with a presentation titled “IASLC—A Community Helping Patients” given by Tomasa Ramirez of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Then, following the presentation of the Distinguished Service Awards, Douglas Lowy, MD, of the National Cancer Institute, Washington, DC, and Oscar Arrieta, MD, MSc, of the National Cancer Institute, Mexico City, will present “Global Excellence in Lung Cancer: A Vision from North American National Cancer Leaders.”
The session will also include a keynote address by Robert Winn, MD, Director of the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Winn oversees a cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute that provides advanced cancer care, conducts groundbreaking research to discover new therapies for cancer, offers high-quality education and training, and engages with the community to make advancements in cancer treatment and prevention equally available to all. In this role, Dr. Winn is leading the nation in establishing a 21st-century model of equity for cancer science and care, in which the community is informing and partnering with Massey on its research to best address the cancer burden and disparities of those the cancer center serves, with a local focus but global impact.
