UICC shortlists Professor Ian Frazer AC for its Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award

Professor Ian Frazer AC has been nominated for the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Control Award by the Union for International Cancer Control.

Speaking with The Courier-Mail, Professor Frazer said he was surprised and humbled to be on the list of nominees.

"It's been a global effort to get cervical cancer under control," he said.

"Obviously it's an unusual thing for a scientist to see something they developed in the lab become something that is practically used and making a real difference globally in terms of control of disease."

Professor Frazer said his former colleague Dr Jian Zhou was critical to developing the vaccine and would be the first person he'd thank. In a statement on Wednesday, UQ announced that the researcher was one of three people nominated for the award. Professor Frazer shares the nomination with the presidents of Uruguay, Dr Tabaré Vázquez and Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, both of whom have expanded health coverage in their native countries.

In addition to world leaders, Professor Frazer will also share the stage with royalty. Jordanian princess and UICC president Dina Mired said the three nominees, drawn from a pool of 28 candidates, were examples of individuals making a global difference in the fight against cancer.

"It is impressive to see that the cancer community includes such dedicated and forward-thinking people who are willing and able to take the fight against cancer to the next level," Princess Dina said.

"Our three short-listed nominees have distinguished themselves through true excellence in this field, and their work has had a positive impact on millions of people worldwide."

It's the first time the UICC has held an award ceremony since being founded in 1933.

The three finalists were chosen from a pool of 28 candidates by a panel composed of 16 members of the UICC Board. They will be honoured at the next World Cancer Leaders’ Summit (WCLS), to be held from 15 to 17 October 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The WCLS is UICC’s major annual high-level policy meeting dedicated exclusively to furthering global cancer control. The final winner will be announced at a special ceremony on 15 October.

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