NCCN partners with African Cancer Coalition to update cancer guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa

KENYA—The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a leading alliance of cancer centers in the United States, has joined forces with the African Cancer Coalition (ACC) to update cancer treatment guidelines tailored for Sub-Saharan Africa.

This collaboration was highlighted during the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2025 Global Academy Regional Workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 9 to 11.

The ACS Global Academy Regional Workshop is a significant event that brings together oncology specialists from across the globe to enhance cancer treatment and support for patients.

For three days, the workshop dedicates two days specifically to revising the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), adapting them to meet the unique needs of the Sub-Saharan African region.

Additional sessions focus on enhancing the use of these guidelines, as well as developing navigation programs and tools for healthcare providers.

Dr. Anu Agrawal, Vice President of Global Cancer Support at the American Cancer Society, emphasized that these regional meetings create a valuable space for healthcare providers to share knowledge, engage in meaningful discussions, and agree on the region’s specific cancer care priorities.

He highlighted that ongoing collaboration with the ACC and NCCN to develop and update the NCCN Harmonized Guidelines™ is crucial for understanding and addressing localized healthcare needs.

The NCCN Guidelines® represent the most comprehensive and frequently updated cancer care recommendations worldwide.

These evidence-based, expert consensus-driven guidelines cover cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive care.

Notably, about half of the two million registered users of these guidelines are from outside the United States, spanning 190 countries.

To make the guidelines more accessible globally, the NCCN Global Program adapts and translates them for healthcare providers in different regions.

During the Nairobi workshop, updates were made to the NCCN Harmonized Guidelines™ for several cancers prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These include anal carcinoma, biliary tract cancers, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer screening, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, hepatocellular carcinoma, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer, penile cancer, rectal cancer, testicular cancer, uterine neoplasms, and vulvar cancer.

Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, noted that the organization has collaborated with ACC experts and the ACS for many years to develop guidelines that are both aspirational and practical.

 While cancer care capacity in the region has improved, cancer rates continue to rise, making this collaboration more vital than ever.

Dr. Denlinger stressed the importance of maintaining and updating treatment recommendations based on the latest research and local conditions.

Representing NCCN at the workshop were Dr. Denlinger, Dr. Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Al Benson from Northwestern University, Dr. Thomas Flaig from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Lisa Gurski, PhD, Vaishnavi Sambandam, PhD, and Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, MPH, all of whom play key roles in developing and managing these guidelines.

This partnership between NCCN, ACC, and ACS marks a significant step toward enhancing cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing healthcare professionals with up-to-date, region-specific guidance to serve their communities better.

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