Latin America Global Cancer Awareness Week 2025
April 18, 2025
The "2025 Latin America Global Cancer Awareness Week and the Second China-Latin America Anti-Cancer Summit (Cancer Nutrition: A Multidisciplinary Perspective)" was successfully held online on March 18, 2025, jointly organized by China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), Latin-American & Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM), and World Association for Integrative Oncology (WAIO). This international summit attracted audiences from countries including China, Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Peru, with a total of over 15 million real-time online viewers worldwide.The summit was co-chaired by Prof. Daiming Fan, President of CACA, President of Asian Oncology Society (AOS), and President of WAIO, along with Prof. Eduardo Cazap, Founder and President of SLACOM and former President of Union for International Cancer Control, who both delivered opening remarks. The event featured keynote speeches from leading experts in the field of oncology from China and Latin America, including Prof. Hanping Shi, Vice President of CACA; Dr. Aline Kirjner Poziomyck, Specialist in Oncological Nutrition at Breast Center of Hospital Moinhos de Vento; Prof. Jiuwei Cui, Vice Chairman of Cancer Nutrition Committee of CACA; and Dr. Maria del Perpetuo Socorro de Sousa Coêlho, Specialist in Oncological Nutrition at Brazilian Society of Oncological Nutrition.Prof. Shi delivered a keynote speech titled "Malnutrition in Cancer Patients: A Major Yet Underestimated Issue." In his presentation, he addressed the problem of malnutrition faced by cancer patients, emphasizing its severity and the current lack of attention it receives. He elaborated on the causes of malnutrition in cancer patients, its impact on their health and treatment outcomes, and discussed various intervention strategies to combat this critical issue. His insights shed light on the importance of integrating nutritional support into the comprehensive care of cancer patients to improve their quality of life and treatment efficacy.Dr. Aline Kirjner Poziomyck explored the topic of "Nutrition and Cancer: An Integral Aspect of Oncological Care." In her presentation, she emphasized the impact of malnutrition on various types of cancer and treatment modalities, highlighting the necessity of personalized nutritional assessments and interventions. She discussed the application of functional foods and phytotherapy, as well as the management of nutrition-related symptoms, underscoring their significant role in enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients. Her insights reinforced the importance of integrating tailored nutritional strategies into comprehensive cancer care to optimize patient outcomes. Prof. Cui shared insights on "Cancer Cachexia: From Guidelines to Clinical Practice." In her presentation, she emphasized that effective treatment of cancer cachexia relies on early detection, timely assessment of patient conditions, and nutritional risk screening. She explored the epidemiological characteristics of cancer cachexia, as well as its screening, diagnosis, and staging processes. Additionally, she discussed intervention strategies for managing cancer cachexia, highlighting the importance of integrating these approaches into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Her talk underscored the critical need for a proactive and multidisciplinary approach to address this challenging condition in cancer care. Dr. Maria del Perpetuo Socorro de Sousa Coêlho discussed "Nutrition in an Oncology Care Center in Brazil", addressing the common nutritional challenges faced by cancer patients, such as weight loss and malnutrition. Dr. Sousa Coêlho emphasized the critical role of nutrition in cancer treatment and highlighted advanced practices in nutritional management within Brazilian oncology care. Her presentation showcased the importance of integrating comprehensive nutritional support into cancer treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes and enhance their overall quality of life.The summit featured a panel discussion session where participants, drawing from their professional perspectives, engaged in an in-depth dialogue on the nutritional needs of cancer patients, nutritional management during treatment, practical experiences in nutrition, and the latest research findings in cancer nutrition interventions. The discussion also explored cutting-edge topics and future trends in the field of cancer nutrition. This exchange fostered international collaboration and the cross-pollination of ideas among oncology experts, paving the way for innovative approaches and enhanced global cooperation in addressing the nutritional challenges faced by cancer patients. The successful convening of the Latin America Global Cancer Awareness Week and the Second China-Latin America Cancer Summit has once again brought China and Latin America closer together, laying a solid foundation for advancing global cancer prevention and control efforts. This event has brought more hope and well-being to cancer patients, while also highlighting the spirit of unity and cooperation in the global fight against cancer. By fostering international collaboration and sharing cutting-edge knowledge and practices, the summit has strengthened the collective resolve to address the challenges of cancer and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.