Message from the President of IFCPC Howard Jones

The 2005 World Congress in Cancun, Mexico was a big success and enjoyed by all. Almost 1,000 members from around the world enjoyed the beautiful setting, discussion of the latest scientific advances and camaraderie. Roberto Testa of Argentina was elected as the next president of the IFCPC. New members of the Executive Committee include:

Patrick Walker (UK) - Secretary-General
Jorge Ojeda (Mexico) - Assistant Secretary
Christine Bergeron (France) - Member-at-Large
Ho Suc Saw (Korea) - Member-at-Large
Isabela DeMello (Brazil) - Member-at-Large
Swee Chong Queck (Singapore) - Member-at-Large

The full Executive Committee, Scientific Advisory Committee and Education Committee can be found on the IFCPC web site at www.ifcpc.org. Check it out. Walter Prendiville from Ireland heads up the new Information Technology Committee. Please let him know any suggestions you have for the web site at wprendiville@rcsi.ie

The IFCPC is poised as never before to make a difference. We now know the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the etiology of cervical cancer, and this has led to the development of new technologies which can have a major impact on screening and prevention of cervical cancer. The use of HPV testing for cervical cancer screening and the development of HPV vaccines for cervical cancer prevention are developments which have the potential to save many lives in years to come. As the recognized experts in this area, members of the IFCPC need to be educated about these advances so that we can educate other professionals and the public and help change public healthcare policy. This worldwide educational program will be called, "The Chance of a Lifetime".

The IFCPC will be sponsoring educational sessions at EUROGIN, the HPV Congress in Prague in the fall and FIGO in Kuala Lumpur. We will also co-sponsor a meeting in Paraguay in the next year or so and hope to attend the Latin American Colposcopy Congress. Please let us know how the IFCPC can help you. We hope to see you at one or more of these meetings this year.

We are also starting to work on the 2008 World Congress in New Zealand. Dr. Howard Clentworth is chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Dr. Ron Jones heads up the Scientific Committee. Please let them know your suggestions for topics, speakers or other recommendations for the World Congress in Auckland in 2008. We will soon be posting information about this World Congress on the IFCPC website. At the World Congress last year, Brazil was selected as the host country for the 2011 World Congress which will be held in the city of Salvador.

The IFCPC is well positioned to make a difference, but we need the participation of all members. Please write to me with your suggestions and questions - hwjones@ifcpc.org

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