IACR Newsflash
CI5 Volume XII Print Version
CI5 Volume XII (IARC Scientific Publication No. 169) is now available for download in PDF format from the IARC Publications website: https://publications.iarc.who.int.
The seven chapters documenting the underlying processes, from the call for data to compilation, are available here.
Prof Dr Adriano Laudico
We learned of the very sad news of Dr Adriano Laudico’s passing on 10 November 2024.
Dr Laudico trained as a cancer surgeon, dedicating his life to helping others. Working initially with Drs Max Parkin and Calium Muir, a close relationship with the Agency began nearly 40 years ago. Considered by many as the father of cancer registration in the Philippines, he led under the Philippine Cancer Society the establishment of the first population-based cancer registry covering the original four cities of Metro Manila. Later together with Dr. Divina Esteban, he led the DOH Rizal Cancer Registry covering the 13 municipalities-turned-cities of Metro Manila. He made numerous contributions in research and the development of educational resources.
As a teacher, Dr Laudico mentored medical students in surgery, pain medicine, and epidemiology. His work was recognized among global peers with the distinction of being awarded an Honorary Lifetime Award from the International Association for Cancer Registries for his achievements.
As a person, Dr Laudico embodied a warm, humble and sincere approach that came through in the first minutes of meeting him. A fierce believer in doing the right thing, he stayed active in supporting the cancer registry long after his retirement. Dr Laudico cited his greatest professional achievement as successfully advocating for the availability of outpatient oral morphine for pain relief in palliative care patients. This followed from an injury he had incurred where the personal experience made him determined to not allow others to suffer without pain relief.
Dr Laudico was a dedicated colleague who became a friend to many peers worldwide.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Photos (Clockwise):
1) Dr A. Laudico;
2) Dr Laudico at the IACR 2016 Annual Conference in Marrakesh with IARC’s Isabelle Soerjomataram and Chelle Fernan.
3) Taken in Sept 2023 at the Manila Cancer Registry. Dr Laudico and Dr Rachael Rosario (whom we also lost in May 2024);
4) Dr Laudico and Les Mery during the latter’s visit to Manila Sept 2023; and
Bottom photo: Drs Laudico (rightmost), Freddie Bray, Rica Mirasol-Lumague, Rachael Rosario, Manila
Dr Rachael Rosario
In Memoriam: Dr Rachael Rosario, A Legacy of Compassion and Dedication
The International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR) and the Global Initative for Cancer Registration Development (GICR) - International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC WHO) would like to pay tribute to the remarkable life and extraordinary contributions of Dr Rachael Rosario. On May 20, 2024, we lost a tireless advocate for cancer research and patient care.
Dr Rosario served as the Executive Director of the Philippine Cancer Society, Founding Member of the Cancer Coalition (Philippines) and Head of the Manila Cancer Registry. Her active support of the work of the GICR of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was a testament to her dedication to cancer surveillance. Leading the Manila Cancer Registry, she played a vital role in generating high-quality, population-based cancer data that has significantly contributed to cancer surveillance and research.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr Rachael Rosario was a warm source of comfort, and a treasured friend to many. Her compassionate nature, and genuine concern for her patients, fellow cancer warriors and colleagues, touched the lives of those she encountered.
To Dr Rachael Rosario, we are thankful that we met and became friends with you. We hope that those whom you have touched and inspired continue to grow your legacy. We send our sincere sympathies to your beloved family, dear friends and colleagues at the Manila Cancer Registry and the Philippine Cancer Society.
Photo courtesy of EPCALM Foundation
Dr Maja Primic Zakelj
Dr Maja Primic Zakelj, A Tribute
Dr Zakelj, an internationally renowned cancer epidemiologist with extensive experience and expertise in cancer screening and cancer registration, passed away in October of this year.
Maja worked as a specialist in epidemiology and public health at the Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana, Slovenia from 1981, and headed the Slovenian Cancer Registry from 2003 to 2018. Under her organization, the 29th annual meeting of the International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR) took place in Ljubljana in 2007.
Until her retirement, she founded and managed the national screening program for the detection of cervical precancer and cancer (ZORA); she was also involved in the establishment of the national screening program for breast cancer (DORA) and the national cancer control programme.
She was a member of numerous international expert and research groups, as well as a prolific author of articles published both in Slovenia and internationally. From 2010-2019, she was President of the Association of Slovenian Cancer Societies and from, 2011-2013, the President of the European Cancer League (ECL).
IACR sends its sincere sympathies to Dr Zakelj's family and colleagues.
CI5 Volume XII online
Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) Volume XII launched in October 2023.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in collaboration with the
International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR), has launched CI5 Volume XII which compiles cancer incidence data from 455 cancer registries, covering 588 populations in 70 countries.
The published volume and databases are now available on the CI5 website: https://ci5.iarc.who.int/. The website likewise contains utilities that enable the comparison of cancer incidence and will be of interest to anyone wishing to better understand the diverse profiles of cancer in different populations.
