For the 12th year in a row, and in spite of all difficulties and unstable circumstances in Lebanon and the Middle East, the Division of Hematology Oncology at the Department of Internal Medicine and the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) organized its 12th Annual International Beirut Breast Cancer Conference BBCC-12 in a hybrid form at the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center (ACC), AUBMC.
The opening ceremony was attended by Caretaker Minister of Public Health Firass Abiad, AUB President Fadlo R. Khuri, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians Youssef Bakhach, President of Lebanese Society of General Surgery Joseph Maroun, Director of NKBCI Ali Taher, and Director of Breast Cancer Center of Excellence at AUBMC and President of BBCC-12 Nagi El Saghir. During the ceremony, H.E. Firass Abiad gave a presentation on his new National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) for Lebanon and was followed by an open debate led by TV Anchor Nesrine Zawahra. Dr. Firass Abiad also addressed issues related to guidelines and use of WHO essential medication lists (EML) during current economic crisis. Dr. El Saghir informed the panel and audience that excellent treatment results and survival rates more than 80-90 percent are obtained in young patients with breast cancer at AUBMC as published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology – Global Oncology in 2023 and that “we will continue all our clinical, educational, and research efforts to maintain high levels of medical practice at AUBMC and in Lebanon despite of all difficulties."
The conference, which was attended by over 300 in-person and virtual attendees, 40 speakers, and panelists from 14 countries including USA, Europe, Arab countries, and Lebanon, included sessions on Oncology Pharmacy, Oncology Nursing, and Patient Support and covered important advances for the management of patients with breast cancer. Moreover, it showcased breast tumor boards where real patient cases were discussed and treatment decisions were made by various specialists and experts.
Speakers emphasized the importance of screening and early detection and presented advances in specialized oncoplastic breast conserving surgery and new targeted therapies. Best Abstract Awards were given to fellows and residents-in-training from AUBMC and Hotel-Dieu de France - Université Saint Joseph (HDF-USJ).
This conference reinforces the continuous efforts that the American University of Beirut Medical Center is contributing in treatment of breast cancer and positions the medical center as pioneering in healthcare.