Awards Information

Dr. Mahmoud Mahfouz receiving the Nazli-Gad-El Mawla Award.

INCTR gives two annual awards to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cancer treatment or research in one or more developing countries. The purpose of these awards is not simply to recognize and honor the recipients, although this is certainly an important element, but also to show, by their example, that much can be accomplished even when resources are limited. It is hoped that their work and philosophy brought through the award lectures to a broader audience than would otherwise be the case will inspire others to greater efforts.

Each of the awards is named after a distinguished oncologist. They began their careers when there was so little knowledge about the causes of cancer that people could only live in fear that they would one day be a victim. The diagnosis was usually hidden from those unfortunate enough to develop cancer, because so little could be done for them. It is thanks to the resolution and fortitude of Dr. Nazli Gad-el-Mawla, Dr. Paul P. Carbone, and others like them, who worked through a time when cancer specialists were often accused of prolonging the misery of cancer patients rather than helping them, that today, at least in the wealthier nations, more than half of those who develop cancer can be cured. Both Dr. Nazli and Dr. Carbone were responsible for training numerous young people, and so leave us a precious legacy through which their work will be continued.

The Nazli Gad-el-Mawla Award is made for outstanding contributions to cancer control by an individual from a country with limited resources. Nazli Gad-el-Mawla was a pioneer Egyptian oncologist, who, as a member of a small group of oncologists working at the National Cancer Institute in Cairo in the 1960s and 70s, helped to build the institute into one of the premier cancer centers in the Middle East. She founded the Department of Medical Oncology in 1970 and, as part of it, developed a strong pediatric oncology program. She is known particularly for her work in the chemotherapy of cancer of the bilharzial bladder, which accounts for some 25% of all cancer in Egypt, and in hematological malignancies. She was highly respected both by her colleagues in Egypt and also by the international community of oncologists in which she became increasingly active throughout her career.

The 2004 Award recipient is Dr. Mahmoud M. Mahfouz: M. Mahfouz is Professor of Oncology and Ex-chairman (1968-83) of Kasr El-Aini Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center, Cairo University (NEMROCK), Egypt, which has been a wellspring of oncology centers throughout Egypt. Since 1951, Prof. Mahfouz has been involved in education and training in radiation and medical oncology in various Egyptian universities as well as other countries (Sudan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the Emirates and Malaysia). He has supervised more than 185 postgraduates for their MD and Masters degrees in oncology in Egypt. Prof. Mahfouz has made major contributions to education and health care in Egypt through his leadership and participation in governing bodies and committees of various Egyptian universities. He was Egyptian Minister of Health from Jan '72 to Sept '74 (during the October War), Member and Chairman of Education, Scientific Research and Youth Committee of the Senate (Shuraa Assembly), 1982-2002, member of the Presidential Advisory Board, Medical Advisor to the Ministry of Scientific Research, President of the Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (1982-1985), President of the Radiation Technology Council of the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and Vice President of the Medical and Drug Research Council of the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. Prof. Mahfouz has also undertaken leadership roles in various international organizations involved with health, science and education, including the Egyptian African Society, the International Organizations of Medical Parliamentarians, the International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) and the Pugwash Movement of Science and International Affairs (the organization being winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985). He has served or acted as consultant to various UN committees and organizations, including the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, 1961-1966, WHO Technical Committee on Cancer and Radiation, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Division of Human Sciences (Medical Research) and the East Mediterranean Regional Office of WHO (EMRO). He has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the El-Gomhoria State Merit (1974), Egypt, Chevalier of the Legion D'Honneur (1982), France, the Art and Science Order (1992), Egypt, the State Merit Prize for Biological Sciences (1992), Egypt and the Mubarak State Prize (2003), Egypt.

The Paul P. Carbone Award in International Oncology is made for outstanding contributions to oncology or cancer research by an individual from a resource-rich country. Paul P. Carbone was a pioneer American oncologist, who, as the Associate Director for the Clinical Oncology Program at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, played a critical role in the development of cancer chemotherapy. Subsequently, he continued his work as the Director of the Cancer Center at the University of Madison, Wisconsin. From the beginning he recognized not only the needs of patients in developing countries, but also the contribution that scientific research conducted in such countries could and should make to the global efforts against cancer. Dr. Carbone's family has established the Paul P. Carbone MD Foundation for "the support of scientific, educational, and charitable endeavors that reflect Dr. Carbone's practice of the art and science of oncology and his lifelong dedication to teaching and mentoring.”

Dr. Mahmoud Mahfouz receiving the Nazli-Gad-El Mawla Award.

The 2004 Award recipient is Dr. Franco Cavalli. Dr. Cavalli has been Head, since 1978, of the Division of Oncology at the Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona (Switzerland) and is a former President of the Swiss League Against Cancer and of the Swiss Institute for Cancer Research. Early in his career, Dr. Cavalli learned of the health problems in Nicaragua. He subsequently visited the country and created an association called "Medical Help for Nicaragua," later called "Association for Medical Help to "Central America". This association was officially recognized and financially supported by the Swiss government. In 1987, he started a program to develop a pediatric hemato-oncology program at the only children's hospital, "La Mascota," in Managua, Nicaragua, which included the building of new wing, where the newly created division for hemato-oncology was established. Staff training and medical and technical assistance were also provided. In 1988 he launched "Nora Astorga," a project devoted to the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. It also provided funds to build a radiotherapy center which is now functioning very well. Cytologists, nurses and health workers were trained, as well as a gynecological oncologist. Nora Astorga undertook a study, with the Nicaraguan government, for the early detection of cervical cancer in a region in Nicaragua with a population of 100,000 people, half living in the city and half being rural workers (campesiños). Following this pilot study in 1991-1992, plans were developed to move to a national screening program for cervical cancer through the Nicaraguan government. The experience in Nicaragua has provided an example for other poor Central American countries such as El Salvador and Guatemala. Dr. Cavalli has adopted four children from Nicaragua and Colombia - another example of his commitment to people in need.

Attendees’ comments on the AM 2004 Congratulations to the Organizing Committee. This kind of meeting helps me to improve my clinical practice. Strict adherence to time should be an absolute must. A list of experienced pediatric oncologists in each country could be prepared with the help of INCTR branches and the Central Office could invite these experts to send their CV’s. INCTR has made important progress towards achieving its objectives. More sessions on laboratory research should be included in the conference. More separate sessions for the nurses should be included in the annual meeting. This year the meeting was very impressive. Panel discussions on new developments or controversial protocols would be useful. INCTR should include surviving patient groups in the meeting as physicians can learn a lot from their experiences. Thanks for the great efforts to help Iraqi Doctors to attend the meeting. We would like the meeting to continue to be held annually, preferably in 3rd world countries like Egypt. Could INCTR campaign for legislation to ban smoking in public places in Egypt ? It might have been better if more papers were presented orally "rather" than as posters. This conference has permitted good interactions and exchanges between the participants. I would have liked to hear more about how other developing countries are coping with specific aspects of cancer control. I would like INCTR to dedicate more emphasis to supportive and palliative care during the annual meeting. Poster presentations in the conference could usefully be divided into different categories. It is a very good idea to hold INCTR meetings in different places in developing countries. The size of the meeting is perfect to allow attendees to get almost 95 % of the information - which is not possible in bigger conferences.