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11 September 2019

UICC shortlists three eminent figures for its Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award

The researcher behind the human papillomavirus vaccine, the President of Zambia and the President of Uruguay have been recognised by the international cancer community for their efforts in the fight against cancer.

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The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is delighted to announce the names of the three nominees shortlisted for its inaugural Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award.

They are:

Professor Ian Hector Frazer, is an internationally renowned medical doctor and researcher in the field of immunology. His pioneering work with the late Professor Zhou to create the basic technology behind the Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) vaccine was a critical step towards the potential elimination of cervical cancer. Influential far beyond vaccine development, he was a staunch advocate for the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in Australia’s national immunisation programme and for its extension to boys, in recognition of the other cancers caused by HPV.

HE Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu,
President of Zambia,

who has been reforming his country’s national health system, placing greater emphasis on primary health care in order to achieve universal health coverage. He has also ensured the health sector has the resources it needs to speed up implementation of Zambia’s national cancer strategy. Leading from the front, he has personally started a mass movement to fight Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through the promotion of physical activity countrywide

HE Dr Tabaré Vázquez,
President of Uruguay,
who transformed his country’s health-care system in order to achieve universal health coverage. He also made Uruguay an example to follow in the area of smoking cessation at both regional and international levels and played a major role in Uruguay’s victory against Philipp Morris International in court in 2016 to ensure the health risks associated with smoking were visible on cigarette packaging. President Vázquez was named Public Health Hero of the Americas, by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization in 2018.

“We received many excellent nominations from around the world”, said HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, UICC president and a member of the panel of judges. “It is impressive to see that the cancer community includes such dedicated and forward-thinking people who are willing and able to take the fight against cancer to the next level. Our three shortlisted nominees have distinguished themselves through true excellence in this field, and their work has had a positive impact on millions of people worldwide.”


The three finalists were chosen from a pool of 28 candidates by a panel composed of 16 members of the UICC Board. They will be honoured at the next World Cancer Leaders’ Summit  (WCLS), to be held from 15 to 17 October 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The WCLS is UICC’s major annual high-level policy meeting dedicated exclusively to furthering global cancer control. The final winner will be announced at a special ceremony on 15 October.

About the Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award

Building on the success of the UICC member awards launched at the 2018 World Cancer Congress, UICC has now created the Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award. This annual distinction will recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of individuals whose efforts have contributed to advancing cancer care and control. The new award will be presented for the first time at the 2019 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit (WCLS) in Nur-Sultan, the newly renamed capital of Kazakhstan. In keeping with the theme of the 2019 WCLS, the focus of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award is on cancer and universal health coverage.

Last update

Tuesday 17 September 2019

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