Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, a renowned consultant paediatrician and founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, has been elected as the President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The UICC, the largest and oldest global organization dedicated to addressing cancer, made the announcement on Tuesday.
The election took place during UICC’s General Assembly, which was held virtually and chaired by outgoing President, Prof. Jeff Dunn. In his review of UICC’s performance over the past two years, Dunn highlighted key achievements, including the success of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit and the World Cancer Congress. He also praised the resilience of cancer organizations worldwide in striving for equitable access to cancer prevention, treatment, and care.
The UICC CEO, Cary Adams, expressed gratitude to Dunn for his leadership, particularly during challenging personal times, and welcomed Ulrika Årehed Kågström as the new UICC President. Kågström, who was elected as President-elect in 2022, assumed the presidency immediately, with Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu set to take over in 2026 for the 2026-2028 term.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu thanked the global cancer community for their trust and pledged to be an interactive leader, drawing on the experiences and insights of UICC members to guide the organization in the years ahead. “I am especially honoured to work with all of you towards accelerating global cancer control under the umbrella of our great organisation,” she said.
Alongside Shinkafi-Bagudu’s election, the new UICC Board of Directors for the 2024-2026 term, representing 12 countries, was also voted in. Dunn congratulated the incoming board members, acknowledging their expertise and dedication to the fight against cancer. Cary Adams, in closing the assembly, expressed confidence in the new leadership’s ability to drive UICC forward in its mission.
Kågström, the Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society, becomes the fourth woman to lead the UICC, following in the footsteps of HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Prof. Sanchia Aranda, and Prof. Mary Gospodarowicz. In her address, she emphasized the importance of addressing global inequities in cancer control, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where 70% of cancer deaths occur due to limited access to care.
Kågström reiterated her commitment to advancing UICC’s mission, ensuring that cancer remains a global health priority, and promoting initiatives like the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition, which seeks to improve the availability of cancer treatments in lower-income nations. She highlighted the urgent need for cross-border collaborations and partnerships to combat cancer and non-communicable diseases globally.
The UICC remains focused on uniting and supporting the global cancer community, promoting equity in cancer care, and keeping cancer at the forefront of global health and development agendas.
