Strengthening Lusophone Collaboration in Cancer Research: Highlights from the First PALOP/ CPLP International Scientific Conference on Cancer in Africa

The First PALOP/CPLP International Scientific Conference on Cancer was convened in Benguela, Angola, on 25 September 2025, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and policymakers from Portuguese-speaking countries across four continents. The meeting addressed the current landscape of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in Africa, with particular emphasis on the structural barriers and emerging collaborative opportunities shaping oncology across the lusophone world. Scientific sessions encompassed molecular oncology, infection-associated malignancies, precision medicine, and regional cancer control strategies, collectively underscoring the urgency of coordinated, multilateral action. A defining outcome of the conference was the consensual drafting of the Lusophone Cancer Charter, a strategic document delineating actionable recommendations for cancer policy harmonization and research cooperation among Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) member states. This report synthesizes the key scientific contributions, thematic discussions, and collaborative commitments emerging from the conference, highlighting their potential to catalyse more equitable and evidence-based oncology practice across the lusophone world.