The World Cancer Congress 2026 draws to a close after three days of global exchange

The World Cancer Congress 2026 concluded today in Hong Kong after three days of debates on topics such as scientific advances, artificial intelligence, lung cancer screening, breast cancer prevention and treatment, national cancer control planning, disruptions to cancer care in conflict settings, the effects of climate change and integrating the voices of people living with cancer.

More than 2,000 delegates from over 120 countries attended the Congress, organised by UICC and hosted by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Delegates moved between plenary sessions, abstract presentations, rapid-fire talks, workshops, and networking events. In the Global Village, they discovered a Supportive Care Pavilion, a World Cancer Day exhibition, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine Pavilion, which considered integrative oncology approaches spanning symptom management and AI-enabled healthcare. A Spotlight Stage allowed select speakers to share their stories, present a campaign, or make a call to action, while Tai Chi lessons introduced delegates to an accessible form of physical activity.

Congress participants also had the opportunity to visit the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society’s facilities and met members of its leadership, staff, and people affected by cancer. It is Hong Kong’s oldest non-profit cancer organisation and a longstanding UICC member, providing services spanning prevention and screening, rehabilitation, palliative care, and survivorship.

Progress, innovation, and implementation

While highlighting the lack of access to appropriate treatment for so many people around the world, and the increasing cancer incidence and mortality, the Congress also gave centre stage to progress and innovation, including changes in how cancers may be treated according to the molecular characteristics of an individual tumour rather than only its site of origin.

Elizabeth Mittendorf of the American Society of Clinical Oncology cited clinical trial results showing that inhibiting the RAS gene could nearly double survival for patients with pancreatic cancer compared with chemotherapy, for example, pointing to the potential of precision oncology to change how some cancers are treated.

Artificial intelligence featured across discussions on research, early detection, diagnostics, and healthcare delivery. 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer presented a review of the latest evidence on lung cancer screening at the official Congress press conference. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and confirmed that targeted low-dose CT screening of people at high risk can reduce lung cancer mortality and the incidence of advanced-stage disease. Drawing on international trials and real-world studies, the evaluation also examined how risk-prediction models and smoking-cessation interventions could improve the effectiveness and reach of screening programmes. 

A UICC flagship session on WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative brought together experiences from resource-adapted settings, with attention to strengthening early diagnosis and referral pathways, reducing delays, supporting people with cancer through treatment, expanding patient navigation, and incorporating monitoring into national breast cancer programmes.

In a dedicated workshop on cervical cancer, participants examined how to maintain progress in achieving the WHO elimination goals amid financial constraints and competing global health priorities. The workshop was convened with Gavi, EPICC, Cancerfonden, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, with the participation of WHO.

Addressing barriers to care: conflict, commercial determinants, supportive care 

Speakers directly affected by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza highlighted the significant pressures faced by people living with cancer, as well as healthcare professionals and civil society organisations, when continuity of care can no longer be assumed due to damaged health infrastructure, shortages of medicines and equipment, and displacement, underlining the need to include cancer within discussions on humanitarian response and preparedness. 

A session organised by Contre-Feu – a French initiative and Congress platinum sponsor along with Pfizer – examined lobbying by the tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food industries and its implications for cancer prevention in Europe and elsewhere. 

Participants considered findings documenting tobacco industry representation within European Union institutions, as well as measures to improve transparency, strengthen safeguards, and protect health policy from commercial interference.

UICC partner La Roche-Posay announced a new collaboration with UICC, “Mind the Gap”, which will examine disparities in supportive cancer care through case studies, It will map how services are available and implemented across different health systems, to help build the case for supportive care as a core component of comprehensive cancer treatment, and break down the barriers that limit its availabilty.

Hearing from people with lived experience

People directly affected by cancer contributed throughout the programme as speakers, advocates, and partners in policy and service discussions. A Congress flagship session considered how patient organisations can turn resources into better services and support for people living with cancer.

UICC and Pfizer convened civil society organisations, people with lived experience, policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and international partners to examine stakeholder engagement in national cancer control planning. Presentations looked at how participation can help plans reflect local needs, make effective use of available resources and gain support across the health system. Reflections extended from the design of plans to the structures needed to deliver them. 

Sessions also covered universal health coverage, palliative care in resource-limited settings, flexible care pathways, and the inclusion of people affected by cancer in policies and programmes.

UICC members met in exclusive regional meetings covering Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin America and North America to discuss priorities, challenges and opportunities in their respective regions. The meetings built on feedback from the 2024 Congress and enabled members to connect regional experiences with discussions across the wider programme.

At the closing ceremony, Children’s Cancer Centre Lebanon, Engraced Life Foundation and The Brunei Cancer Centre received the World Cancer Day 2026 Awards, recognising the impact of their activities for World Cancer Day on 4 February.

The Congress also recognised four recipients of the 2026 Abstract Presentation and Paper Prizes: Cheryl Fung of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (Hong Kong, China), Sarah McHutchison of the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer (Australia), Viktoriia Romaniuk of NGO Athena (Turkey), Women Against Cancer (Ukraine), and Lu Chen of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital (China). 

“Our sincere thanks to all participants, speakers and partners whose expertise and commitment helped shape the 2026 Congress. Thank you once again for joining us in Hong Kong and for the work you do every day to advance cancer control around the world. We hope you leave the Congress with new perspectives, strengthened connections and ideas that will continue to inspire action in your own work and communities.”
– Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of UICC, and Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society