The IAEA marks World Cancer Day 2016 with a series of events highlighting advances in saving lives from cancer and to support countries in providing quality and affordable cancer care.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will mark World Cancer Day 2016 by hosting a series of events to highlight advances made in saving lives from cancer and the need to support countries in providing quality and affordable cancer care. 8.2 million people died of the disease in 2012 with two thirds of them in low-and middle income countries.

This year's programme includes the participation of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and government ministers and dignitaries from Austria, Gabon, Honduras and Niger.

On 3 February, world-renowned oncologist Professor Christoph Zielinski from the Medical University of Vienna and leading radiation oncologist Dr May Abdel-Wahab from the IAEA start proceedings with a public lecture on the most recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The signature event will take place on 9 February. Held under the Patronage of Ms Margit Fischer, First Lady of Austria and hosted by IAEA's Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT), a panel discussion moderated by Ms Sonja Kato-Mailath-Pokorny, CEO of unikato-communications. will bring together notable speakers from around the world to discuss "Joining Forces to win the Global Battle Against Cancer":

Opening statements will be given by IAEA Director General, Yukiya Amano; the First Lady of Niger, Dr Malika Issoufou Mahamadou; and the Federal Minister of Health of Austria, Dr Sabine Oberhauser.

Panellists include Dr Yolani Batres, Minister of Health of Honduras; Rakiatou Kaffa, Minister of Development Cooperation of Niger; Prof Dr Ernest Belembaogo, Director of the National Cancer Institute in Libreville, Gabon; Nicole Denjoy, the Vice-Chair of DITTA, the Global Trade Association for the Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Healthcare IT Industry; and, Neira Kameric from the Bosnian Cancer Survivor Network, "MlaadiCe BiH".

The discussion will show strong partnerships can yield considerable benefits to effectively addressing the global cancer crisis and improving access to cancer care services to all in need.

Events will be held at the Vienna International Centre, with the exception of the film screening. All are open for external guests by invitation. For more information, please contact PACT at pact@iaea.org