Prof Cristina Stefan, a valued member of the ecancermedicalscience Editorial Board, has recently been named Country, Region and Continental winner of Global Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards (Medical sector).

Prof Stefan was the first woman president elect of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and Vice President of the South African Medical Research Council.  She is also founder of the African Cancer Institute, chair and founder of African Cancer Economics Network, the chair of AORTIC paediatric oncology, and the co-chair of the AORTIC research committee.

A paediatrician by profession, Prof Stefan later trained as an oncologist; cancer care for children remains one of her great passions. She also has an MSC in Epidemiology from York University in the UK, and a PhD in medical education.

Her great experience as a world leader in cancer control has given her a broad perspective on cancer challenges.  She recently set up the African Medical Research and Innovation Institute, and is studying for an MBA.

In a recent interview with ecancer at the World Cancer Leader’s summit, she spoke about her session at the congress, 'Implementing the best practices in cancer control in Africa'. She described the balance of best practice against essential practices, for whom and when, and also reflected on the interest in African care from international partners.

ecancermedicalscience is honoured to have Prof Stefan as an Editorial Board member and we would like to congratulate her on this well-deserved and prestigious award. 

Watch Prof Stefan discussing how to implement best practice in cancer control at the World Cancer Leader’s summit.

Read Prof Stefan's editorial on the challenge that the African continent faces with cancer.