Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research - International activities and collaborations

International Network on Control of Gynaecological Cancers (INCGC)

International Network on Control of Gynaecological Cancers (INCGC) is a consortium of experts from developed and developing countries actively involved in gynaecological cancer control namely, Cervical Cancer (including Human Papilloma virus and sexually transmitted diseases, STDs) and Ovarian Cancer. The aim is to bring together experts interested and active in gynaecological cancer control, to foster communications and provide a channel for exchange of information and experience across the globe.

The Network is a continuation of the WHO Study Group on Control of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries, created in 1993.

To date there are more than 500+ members from 100+ different countries which comprise:

• Principal Investigators: Experts conducting research studies and projects in their respective countries, mainly from developing countries.
• Scientific Advisors: Experts, i.e. clinical oncologists, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, pathologists; mainly from developed countries. They help giving technical advice and support on regular basis.
• Strategic Partners: To date 32 International Organizations & Institutes comprise the Network; Organizations/institutions actively involved in gynaecological cancer or STD control. They help draft global work strategy and help implement and support selected activities depending on their expertise and strength, i.e. technical or fiscal.

There are 34 studies in 24 countries currently being conducted by the members of the Network. These are feasibility studies to evaluate best practices for cervical cancer screening and treatment in different resource settings. Some of these studies are at fruition.

Currently, we are in the process of developing protocols and budget proposals for studies on cervical cancer screening, Human Papilloma Virus and sexually transmitted diseases for Cameroon, Tunisia, the Philippines and the East and Central Europe and the Ex USSR Region.

First meeting of the Strategic Partners and Scientific Advisers for the Network was held at HUG, Geneva on 13 June 1998 where a consensus was reached on the following:

• To carry the philosophy of Network forward.
• To work as a joint Task Force and share information and expertise.
• To concentrate on one subject at a time and address it together in a Consensus Conference. The objective of the consensus conferences will be to pool the global knowledge on the subject, analyse it and devise global recommendations on evidence based information.
• To first address ‘Cervical Cancer’ in a consensus conference in Tunisia.

The INCGC Consensus Conference on Cervical Cancer Screening & Management was held on 28-31 January 1999 in Tunis, Tunisia, in collaboration with WHO Global Programme on Cancer Control and the Tunisian Ministry of Public Health.
The Conference was attended by 85 experts from around the world. All the regions of the world were well represented. In order to implement practically the recommendations from the Conference, 5 Regional Technical workshops have been held in collaboration with the WHO Regional offices, as follows:

• Eastern Mediterranean/S.E. Asia: Pakistan; 9-11 March, 2000
• Africa: Nigeria; 10-15 April, 2000
• Eastern Europe: Macedonia; 19-24 June 2000
• Western Pacific: Malaysia; 26-31 March 2001
• Latin America: Brazil; 2003

Training courses for experts from developing countries in Cytopathology and Colposcopy: the first course was held at the Geneva University Hospital - Sept/October 1999, the last course at HUG in October 2004.

Country projects

• National Workshops / Guidelines: The Philippines 1998, China 2001, India 2002, U.A.E. 2004.
• Demonstration Projects: Pakistan, India, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Malawi, Armenia, Albania, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, UAE.

INCGC meeting reports

• Report on the First regional technical workshop on cervical cancer screening and management, Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asian Regions - Lahore, Pakistan; 9-11 March 2000
• Report on the First regional technical workshop on cervical cancer screening and management, African Region - Ibadan, Nigeria, 10-15 April 2000
• Report on the First regional technical workshop on cervical cancer screening and management, East European Region - Skopje, Macedonia; 19-24 June 2000

Online presentations

• Cervical Cancer Screening / Training Modules - Saloney Nazeer
  • Cervical Cancer Screening - Aided Visual Inspection of the Cervix "Acetic Acid Test" - Saloney Nazeer
    • Cervical Cancer Screening - Aided Visual Inspection of the Cervix "Acetic Acid Test" Picture Atlas - Saloney Nazeer
  • Cervical Cancer Screening - Technical Guidelines on Unaided Visual Inspection of the Cervix - Saloney Nazeer
  • Cervical Cancer Screening - Unaided Visual Inspection of the Cervix - Saloney Nazeer
    • Cervical Cancer Screening - Unaided Visual Inspection of the Cervix - Saloney Nazeer
  • Cervical Cancer Screening - Visual Examination Reporting Form - Saloney Nazeer

Contact

The International Network on Control of Gynaecological Cancers (INCGC) is hosted by the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research:

Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Villa Grand-Montfleury
Chemin du Grand-Montfleury 48
1290 Versoix - Switzerland

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Edited by Aldo Campana,