Prof Groesbeck P. Parham - University Teaching Hospital, Zambia; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, Howard G Buffett - Howard G Buffett Foundation, USA, Dikembe Mutombo - Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, USA, Dr Michael L. Hicks - University Teaching Hospital, Zambia; St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Cancer Center, Michigan, USA; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, Dr Mireille Kanda - Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, USA, Professor Ronda Henry-Tillman - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA, Dr Mathieu Mukuta  Kabongo - Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms Ilipo Kaira - Cancer Diseases Hospital, Zambia, Dr Tankoy Gombo YouYou   - Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Professor Groesbeck Parham and colleagues introduce a new special issue which provides a starting point for cancer research using implementation science to improve capacity building for vulnerable populations in the unique conflict ecosystems of Sub Saharan Africa.

The series features a collaboration between researchers in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the USA with the aim of improving outcomes in women's cancers. Topics covered include the adoption of a novel rapid radical surgical training model for early stage cervical cancer applied to the specific needs and context in the DRC, the innovative implementation of detection and treatment services for cervical and breast cancer, and a partnership with a non-profit organisation to purchase affordable basic chemotherapy.

Thanks to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Friends of Africa, Inc. and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation for supporting this project.

Read the full special issue here.