The African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer: Historical Perspective

The African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) is a bilingual (English and French) nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of cancer control and palliation in Africa. Its mission in respect to cancer control in Africa includes (1) support of research and training; (2) provision of relevant and accurate information on the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and palliation of cancer; (3) promotion of public awareness about cancer and reduction of the stigma associated with it. In seeking to achieve its goal of cancer control in Africa, AORTIC strives to unite the continent and to make a positive impact throughout the region by collaboration with health ministries and global cancer organizations. The organization’s key objectives are to further research relating to cancers prevalent in Africa, to support training programs in oncology for health care workers, to deal with the challenges of creating cancer control and prevention programs, and to raise public awareness of cancer in Africa. It also plans to organize symposia, workshops, meetings, and conferences that support its mission. Founded in September 1982, AORTIC was active only between 1983 (when its inaugural conference was held in the City of Lome, Togo, West Africa) and the late 1980s. The organization subsequently became inactive and moribund. In 2000, a group of expatriate African physicians and scientists joined in an effort with their non-African friends and colleagues to reactivate the dormant organization. Since its reactivation, AORTIC has succeeded in putting cancer on the public health agenda in many African countries by highlighting Africa’s urgent need for cancer control and by holding meetings every two years in various African cities. National and international cancer control organizations worldwide have recognized the challenges facing Africa and have joined in AORTIC’s mission.