Prof. Greta Dreyer Sets Presidential Priorities

Stepping into the role of IGCS President, I do so with a sense of great responsibility, but also excitement! What a privilege it is to be involved with a truly global society that forms a strong network of passionate individuals who have the wellbeing of women with cancer at heart. I spoke with many members at the recent IGCS Meeting in Dublin, and when we come together as an international community it is apparent how we share this greater purpose.

Importantly, the Presidency rotates regionally, and I have the special charge to represent Europe, Middle East and Africa: a conglomerate of highly developed and slowly emergent nations. And I believe that it is when we work together that the impact will be the greatest. Given our divergent strengths, we can all learn from each other and help one another.

Presidential Priorities

I have given my priorities for the next two years of service a lot of thought. Given the multitude of programs and activities at IGCS, it is important to build on the success, consolidate current programs, and strengthen processes to secure the future of what has been built. Therefore, my first goal will be to enhance effective communication and engagement with our members by launching a program to enhance regional networks. To help achieve this, we will utilize the leadership of the regional representatives elected to the IGCS Board of Directors.

Next, I want to focus on improving surgical accessibility and sustainability. The Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship has been the IGCS flagship program of the last 6 years; now the expansion of our training programs will aim to fulfil more of the needs constantly voiced by our members, especially from developing nations. This program also ties in with the cervical cancer control project discussed below. More news will follow on the surgical sustainability program which will focus on limiting environmental harm via the carbon and wastage footprint through the involvement of members and industry partners.

Coming from the African continent, it is paramount for me to acknowledge global inequalities and place the needs of the developing world, the “Global South”, in the foreground during my term. Central among these needs is cervical cancer control, so let us concentrate on IGCS’ contribution to the global Cervical Cancer Elimination project.

Reaffirming Commitment on this Cervical Cancer Day of Action

November 17, 2024, marks the 4^th anniversary of the WHO’s announcement of the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer as a public health problem - with the elimination of this mostly preventable cancer far from being a reality even for many developed nations. On this Global Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination, I reaffirm our society’s commitment to these efforts. Our 9,000 members are at the forefront of efforts to prevent and treat cervical cancer and many are leaders in this global movement.

We call on everyone in our network to wear a teal (or teal and white) ribbon on the day, and to speak out for HPV vaccination, screening, and efforts to improve early diagnosis and treatment access.

IGCS to host 2025 Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit: Pathway to Progress for Africa

As a proud South African, it inspires me that IGCS prepares to host the Annual Global Meeting on African soil for the first-time in Cape Town (Nov. 5-7, 2025). This will be followed by a Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit in collaboration with various partners (Nov. 7-8, 2025) – bearing testament to the continent’s importance in the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in spite of multifaceted challenges and great need.  

Gaining traction, IGCS is now in a prime position to gather leaders and stakeholders at such a Summit. Together, we can work to better understand the challenges of cervical cancer control in Africa, but even more to discuss ways in which to address them through actionable, specific multidisciplinary solutions. Key leaders and stakeholders will be invited to join us as we discuss existing scientific and regional solutions and blaze a path forward. We also aim to draft a scientists’ regional consensus document for use in our communication with political powers in a quest for resources to improve access to care. More information regarding the Summit will be forthcoming as we also prepare for the Cape Town congress!

 I look forward to the approaching year with hopeful anticipation. Thank you for being a member and my partner on this journey. Thank you for all that you do for our patients and for colleagues. My great ambition is to show you how much your society values your contributions and to provide value to you as well.

Yours sincerely,