Establishment and Early Years

The Egyptian Foundation of Medical Sciences (EFMS) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2013 by a group of eight dedicated academic oncologists from various universities across Egypt (Fig. 1). United by a shared passion for improving cancer care, those future board members recognized the urgent need for a dedicated platform to foster knowledge exchange and skill development among healthcare professionals in the region. The foundation’s inception marked the beginning of a journey to address the critical gap in cancer education and training [7].

Fig. 1

Key milestones of the the Egyptian Foundation for Medical Sciences (EFMS) since its foundation in 2013. IASLC, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer; MOH, Ministry of Health

The EFMS initially evolved from the critical appraisal initiative for research in oncology (CAIRO) Journal Club, dedicated to critical appraisal of oncology literature and practice-changing trials and used its CAIRO Journal Club (CJC) name as a brand for its educational activities (Fig. 1). According to an editorial in the International Lung Cancer News (ILCN), the CAIRO Journal Club expanded into a multidisciplinary, interactive forum for Egyptian and regional oncologists, focusing on the practical application of evidence-based medicine, multidisciplinary case discussions, and hands-on workshops [7]. This initiative laid the groundwork for evolution into a leading oncology education platform in the Middle East.

In its early years, CJC faced several challenges. Limited funding opportunities hindered the foundation’s ability to expand its activities and reach a wider audience. Additionally, the absence of a strong collaborative culture among healthcare professionals initially posed obstacles to implementing innovative educational initiatives. Despite these challenges, the founding members remained committed to the foundation’s mission and persevered, gradually building a sustainable and impactful organization.

Educational Events Statistics and Formats

Over the past decade, CJC has demonstrated consistent growth, both in terms of event frequency and participant engagement. As of January 2025, a total of 120 scientific and educational meetings were conducted with a steady increase in annual event frequency and fruitful sophistication. The educational events included a diverse faculty comprising experts from Egypt, Arab countries, and international institutions (France, Austria, Japan, UK, Germany, and the USA). Since 2017, CJC has integrated virtual meetings in the annual agendas, ensuring greater accessibility for oncologists in underserved areas. Digital reach is sufficient to support synchronous and asynchronous learning but remains uneven: in 2023, about 69% of people in the Arab States used the internet [8], and across MENA, most people live within 4G coverage yet a large “usage gap” persists (44% covered but not using), while 5G availability remains nascent [9, 10]. In response, sessions were deliberately designed to be mobile-first and low-bandwidth to facilitate participation even in settings with limited connectivity. The number of virtual meetings peaked in 2020 and 2021 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Figure 1a shows the number of educational in-person and virtual events organized by EFMS over the past decade.

Oncology education in Egypt mainly takes place through postgraduate university programs (Master’s, MD, and board training) and is supported by CME/CPD activities recognized by national bodies. The Club provides certificates of attendance, and when events are held with accredited partners, CPD credit is also available. In the wider MENA region, accreditation rules vary, so we standardize agendas, objectives, and time logs to make it easier for our events to be recognized for CPD where possible.

To be able to fill the critical gaps in cancer care, CJC has pioneered 5 major educational formats (Fig. 2b), each designed to enhance interactive learning and clinical decision-making in oncology:

(1)

Interactive forums of oncology (IFO)/masterclasses

Fig. 2

Educational events and activities (n = 120) organized by the CAIRO Journal Club. (A) Bar chart showing the number of events and their format (physical or virtual meetings) from 2013 to 2024. (B) Pie chart showing the percentage of educational activities according to their type and design. (C) Plot showing the number of events per disease site and the number of attendees. GU, genitourinary; GIT, gastrointestinal; Gyne, gynecologic oncology; Misc, miscellaneous

The IFO is a masterclass-style meeting that focuses on a single disease area, allowing for an in-depth, interactive discussion of the latest clinical evidence and treatment strategies in this single discipline. These forums bring together a multidisciplinary panel, including oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and surgeons, to enhance clinical decision-making by emphasizing personalized, evidence-based cancer care. So far, the IFO is the most common educational format used by CJC, with a total of 46 forums, among which the most successful series are the “Lung 360°,” “GynaecologicalOncology (GO),” and “Oncology Masterclass.”

(2)

Into the clinic (ITC)

The ITC provides a simulation-based learning experience, where participants engage in multidisciplinary tumor board-style discussions. Real-world de-identified patient cases are analyzed using a collaborative decision-making approach. This ensures that oncologists learn to tailor treatments to available resources, promoting practical and equitable healthcare. CJC introduced ITC first in 2020, and to date 15 ITCs have been conducted.

(3)

Hands-on radiotherapy and surgical workshops

During the past decade, CJC conducted 19 practical workshops to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and technical expertise. This platform typically accommodates 20–30 attendees and focuses on a single disease area. These workshops included:

Radiotherapy workshops: covering radiotherapy imaging, simulation, treatment planning, contouring guidance, quality assurance, and adaptive radiotherapy

Surgical oncology workshops: offering hands-on training in minimally invasive surgeries and advanced oncologic surgical techniques. Educational modalities included simulation labs, video workshops and live broadcasts from the operation rooms

(4)

KAI-ROS: small-group expert-led roundtables

The KAI-ROS format provides a meet-the-expert experience, where small groups of oncologists engage in roundtable discussions with leading experts. These meetings focus on deep, case-based exploration of clinical decision-making and allow for detailed peer-to-peer exchanges on complex treatment challenges. KAI-ROS has been particularly impactful in early-career oncologist mentorship and knowledge translation. The first KAI-ROS event was in 2022 and by December 2024, 12 events of this format have been conducted.

(5)

Journal clubs

The CAIRO Journal Club was the first format introduced by EFMS (where the initiative got its name) and so far, 13 journal clubs have been conducted. The platform allows thorough evaluation of new practice-changing clinical trials and deep understanding of how to evaluate scientific evidence.

Coverage of Different Cancer Subtypes

CJC has prioritized multidisciplinary education across various cancer types, ensuring that oncologists receive comprehensive training in the most prevalent and challenging cancers in the region. Figure 2c shows a chart with the distribution of educational events by discipline along with the attendance. Based on event data analysis, CJC’s educational programs have focused on:

Breast cancer (20 events) was among the most frequently covered and attended subject, given it is the most prevalent cancer in Egypt and the world with a higher incidence in the region.

Gastrointestinal cancers (18 events), including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary cancers, where surgical and systemic treatment advancements require multidisciplinary expertise

Genitourinary cancers (27 events), including prostate, bladder, kidney, and germ cell cancers, with updates on immunotherapy and targeted therapies

Digital Activities

Recognizing the barriers that oncologists in low-resource settings face in attending physical meetings and with the explosive growth of time spent by physicians on social media platforms, CJC has increasingly invested in social media-based virtual education. The launch of “OncologyMe,” an online oncology platform on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, was met with wide acceptance by HCPs in the region. As of May 2025, the Facebook page has reached 3414 followers and 46,431 page visits, while the YouTube channel has reached 843 subscribers, 16,611 views, and 39,176 min of watch time. This has clearly provided easily accessible, high-quality medical content, including:

14 live-streamed expert discussions on hot topics in oncology (OncologyWatch)

14 medical infographics videos, summarizing practice changing clinical trials

2 podcasts featuring regional experts, discussing significant updates in oncology practice

These digital platforms have allowed CJC to extend its educational impact to a broader audience, including oncologists in remote and underserved areas. Through digital transformation and social media, CJC seeks to democratize access to knowledge and empower healthcare professionals to make informed decisions. This is expected to have a lasting impact on cancer care in the region and beyond.

Impact on Cancer Care Decision-Making

The EFMS’s multidisciplinary approach has directly influenced how oncologists in the region approach cancer management. Through its case-based learning models, oncologists have:

Improved their ability to integrate tumor biology, imaging, and pathologic findings into treatment plans

Enhanced collaboration between medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, leading to more cohesive patient management strategies

Gained practical knowledge on managing treatment-related toxicities and tailoring therapies based on patient fitness and resource availability

A survey conducted among CJC event participants revealed that 85% of attendees reported improved confidence in making complex clinical decisions, 75% of the attendees found the multidisciplinary tumor board discussions the most impactful part of the meetings, and 90% expressed interest in continued participation in CJC-led educational programs.

CJC Cancer Awareness Platforms

In parallel with its mission to educate healthcare professionals, EFMS has recognized the critical need to raise public awareness about cancer. To this end, the foundation launched the Cairo Journal Club (CJC) Cancer Awareness platform, a dedicated initiative aimed at improving cancer literacy among the general public in Egypt and the broader MENA region. This platform delivers simplified, evidence-based information in Arabic, using accessible language that resonates with the non-medical audience. Content is disseminated primarily through social media channels such as Facebook and YouTube, leveraging the high engagement rates on these platforms to reach a broad demographic. The materials include short educational videos, infographics, interactive Q&A sessions, and patient testimonials.

CJC Cancer Awareness platform focuses on addressing widespread misconceptions about cancer, increasing awareness about early detection, and promoting health-seeking behavior. Topics are selected to reflect both common public inquiries and regional health priorities, from prevention and screening to treatment options and survivorship care. Notably, CJC campaigns have been tailored to align with international awareness days, such as World Cancer Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Colon Cancer Awareness Month, ensuring global alignment while maintaining cultural relevance. These campaigns have garnered high visibility and engagement, with thousands of views and shares, reflecting the public’s need for trusted cancer-related information.

As of May 2025, the CJC Cancer Awareness Facebook page has reached 20,943 followers, 88,512 page visits, and 9,989,714 impressions, while the YouTube channel has reached 1456 subscribers, 235,273 views, and 328,913 min of watch time.

Grants and Sponsoring Preceptorship

The Egyptian Foundation of Medical Sciences had an active role in supporting young oncologists through different ventures including providing Research Grants for excelling oncologists. Over the years, EFMS has also enabled young oncologists from the region to visit high-volume cancer centers in Europe. These short-term observerships and visits have provided valuable exposure and have contributed significantly to the participants’ career development. Building on this success, we plan to create a formal visiting fellowship program that supports more international placements on a regular basis.