Expanding Access to Cancer Imaging Across Africa
Registration is open for program to help radiologists strengthening cancer imaging and patient care
RSNA has launched Across Africa, a program that will deliver high-impact, accessible training that supports radiologists’ day-to-day cancer imaging work across the African continent.
Across Africa is part of RSNA’s “Global Health Initiative: Access to Radiology” program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The program’s first event will be sponsored by GE HealthCare.
Due to Africa’s vast geographic and health system diversity, challenges to equitable access to cancer imaging remain. Across Africa is designed not only to address these gaps through regionally relevant education and practical clinical guidance, but also to foster global partnerships that support sustained collaboration and long-term impact.
“We know that better imaging significantly changes outcomes, and that urgency only grows with the rising cancer burden across the continent,” said Toma Omofoye, MD, a breast radiologist and global health advisor, former director of global oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and a member of the course planning committee. “Early diagnosis is universally recognized as key to survival, so investment in radiology is critical.”
The program includes two in-person sessions: Across Africa: Advancing Cancer Imaging, Sept. 4–5 in Cape Town, South Africa, followed by a half-day event that will take place at RSNA 2026 in Chicago, Nov. 29–Dec. 3.
“The goal of lasting change cannot be achieved by a single course,” said Jorge Soto, MD, RSNA Board liaison for international affairs. “That's why the dual format matters so much: one event rooted in Africa and one that reaches the global radiology community through the RSNA annual meeting.”
Building Skills and Strengthening Collaboration
Across Africa offers radiologists the opportunity to reach beyond borders to advance clinical skills, share solutions to common challenges and build professional connections with colleagues.
Leading radiologists, physicists, educators, hospital administrators, diplomats and industry professionals from around the world will participate as both learners and active collaborators.
“Participants in the Cape Town event will gain practical skills in cancer imaging, a structured framework for evaluating complex cases and exposure to innovative workflows adaptable to diverse practice environments,” Dr. Soto said. “These outcomes reflect RSNA’s commitment to advancing patient care through education, collaboration and broader access to high-quality imaging worldwide.”
The curriculum focuses on cancers with a significant impact across the continent, including brain, lung, breast and prostate cancers.
Case-based learning will highlight both common and complex presentations, encouraging discussions related to expanding screening, improving patient awareness and supporting earlier intervention. Hands-on learning opportunities will also be available to reinforce key concepts and practical applications.
Participants will also have the opportunity to share best practices from their own institutions, highlighting successful approaches to delivering imaging across diverse care settings.
“Every patient in Africa deserves a clear path from diagnosis to treatment, and that’s exactly what the course is built around,” Dr. Omofoye said. “Africa has remarkable examples of excellent imaging across diverse settings, and we want to highlight those success stories while sharing practical ideas that others can put to work immediately.”
The program is also designed to create sustained momentum, supporting continued partnerships across institutions and regions.
“Across Africa is designed to establish lasting partnerships that extend learning and collaboration well beyond the program’s conclusion,” Dr. Soto said. “By connecting professionals across institutions and regions, we aim to support a sustainable framework for innovation, strengthen cancer imaging services and advance long-term improvements in patient care.”
For More Information
Learn more about the Across Africa program, including details about the event scheduled for Cape Town in September.
Read previous RSNA News stories on global radiology outreach: