Every year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, recognizing the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across all areas of society. In healthcare and oncology, women play a vital role as researchers, physicians, nurses, advocates, patients, and survivors, driving progress in cancer care and research.
This day is both a celebration of their impact and a reminder of the continued efforts needed to achieve equity and opportunity for women worldwide.
Here are 10 inspiring and insightful posts you shouldn’t miss from different professionals highlighting achievements, voices, and perspectives shared during March in celebration of International Women’s Day.
“On International Women’s Day, I am honored to serve as President of the AACR and grateful for the opportunity to work with so many inspiring Women In Science, including Marge Foti and Past President Pat LoRusso.”
“On International Womens Day Here’s to the women advancing science, caring for patients, and lifting communities.”
“On IWD2026 we celebrate the women shaping the future of oncology. Through the ESMO W4O Diary of an Oncology Leader series, inspiring voices across our field share stories of resilience, mentorship and leadership.
Because leadership is not about titles- it is about impact , is about lifting each other and building teams and systems where diverse talent can thrive . This year’s IWD theme, Give To Gain, reminds us that progress toward gender equity, diversity and inclusion requires deliberate investment and efforts from institutions, organisations and individuals alike.
When we invest in women’s leadership , safety and opportunity, we strengthen the entire oncology community and the care we provide to patients . Equity, diversity and inclusion are not concessions- they are collective benefits. Watch the stories․”
Amanda Pullinger:
“As I leave Tokyo on International Womens Day, it seems appropriate to be posting about one of the superstars in the Stomach Cancer/GI ecosystem – Dr. Yelena Janjigian, Chief, Gastrointestinal Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a SMAB member of Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer.
You can watch her TODAY Show appearance from Sat March 7th․
And then watch a full-length interview I conducted with Yelena recently as part of the Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer Global Women’s Month in March․
Yelena Janjigian – you are a great example of this year’s theme
givetogain – and from myself as CEO of Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer, from your colleagues, and most importantly from your patients, we thank you for your leadership and service to the stomach cancer/GI community.”
“Today is 08 March. Many celebrate it as International Women’s Day, but today my thoughts are simply about human strength.
Creating Peace. How important is to have and be a good neighbor to each other. Some people are celebrating with flowers and coffee. Others are waking up with fear because war is close to their homes. The world has a strange way of holding joy and pain in the same moment.
I studied biochemistry while air-raid sirens were sounding. I know what it means when war interrupts life, and love. I know what it means to lose…. in a second. One day you share a coffee, the next day there is no coffee, no conversation, only memories. War can take many things. It can take plans, cities, and people we love. But there is something it cannot take unless we surrender it ourselves. It cannot take who you are. It cannot take your values, your curiosity, your kindness, or your smile.
Today I am caring for my 90-year-old mother. She no longer sees the world with her eyes, but she sees it with something deeper – the quiet wisdom that comes from a long life of learning, loving, and surviving. That reminds me of something important: strength does not always look loud or heroic. Sometimes it looks like continuing. Continuing to learn, to care, to help, to smile, even when life becomes difficult.
So wherever you are today – whether you are celebrating, working, rebuilding, worrying, studying, leading, or simply trying to get through the day – remember this: You may lose many things in life, but never lose yourself. Your courage, your curiosity, your humanity – these are stronger than any storm.
Happy 08 March to all my friends women, and everyone. May we keep choosing resilience, compassion, peace and hope. And be good neighbors to each other․”
“Ahead of International Women’s Day this Sunday, we’re proud to amplify the voices shaping the future of our industry.
When asked what changes she hopes to see for women in our field, our EVP, Growth Strategy and Enablement, Marianna Zipeto shared:
‘My hope is that more women feel confident that their voice in the room is just as powerful as anyone else’s – perhaps different in style, but equally strong. Diverse perspectives drive the best innovation, and with that confidence I believe we will naturally see more women in leadership… until one day it simply feels normal.’
We believe progress comes from confidence, inclusion, and creating spaces where every voice is valued and heard.”
“March 8 is International Women’s Day.
Until the 1990s, however, much of medicine was built almost exclusively on male models. Many clinical trials excluded women. Drug metabolism was studied primarily in men.
This led to concrete consequences:
- drug dosing that was not optimal for women
- cardiovascular symptoms in women that were often underdiagnosed
- different toxicity profiles in cancer therapies.
An analysis by the GAO found that 8 of the 10 drugs withdrawn from the market between 1997 and 2000 posed greater health risks for women than for men. It is not surprising that for centuries women were largely absent from academic medicine. Only in 1754 did Dorothea Erxleben obtain a medical doctorate in Europe.
The real turning point came with the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, which mandated the inclusion of women in clinical research. In the history of medicine, this remains an important reminder: science advances when it stops treating the exception as a detail and finally begins to recognize it as part of reality.”
“International Women’s Day: Minister Butler Reveals First Look at BreastScreen Australia Review Outcomes – As Equity Gaps Persist
This week in Brisbane, the sector gathered for the BreastScreen Australia Conference – bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers consumers and advocates focused on the future of early detection for Australian women.
On Friday, the Hon. Mark Butler provided the sector with the first look at outcomes emerging from the BreastScreen Australia National Policy and Funding Review, commissioned by the Australian Government in October 2023. The review presentation from the Department of Health and Aged Care was delivered by Alison Lang alongside Rita Butera, CEO of BreastScreen Victoria and Chair of the BreastScreen Australia Program, together with Viv Milch from Cancer Australia.
Importantly, they recognised the extraordinary work undertaken over several years by the expert working group led by Professor Sanchia Aranda. The work of this group – alongside the efforts of the Department – has been significant in bringing together the evidence, technology considerations and policy architecture required to support the next era of breast screening in Australia.
Importantly, program managers across the country have now agreed to the recommendations – no small achievement in a federated health system. Minister Butler outlined the first areas the Commonwealth will now begin working on:
- Developing a national policy framework for risk-based screening
- Establishing a national strategy to boost participation
- Creating a contemporary quality & safety framework
- Strengthening collaboration between the Commonwealth and states and territories
One reality was impossible to ignore this week. I experienced first-hand how quickly conversations can drift into finger-pointing between the Commonwealth and the states about who is responsible for funding, infrastructure and reform.
And this is where progress too often slows. Another issue that became clear this week is the lack of transparency around funding. We know what high-quality screening costs to deliver. What remains far less clear is how much funding is actually being invested in BreastScreen Australia across jurisdictions. The program operates through a partnership between the Commonwealth and states and territories – yet there is still no clear national picture of how much Commonwealth block funding is flowing into screening services, how it is being used, or what level of investment states and territories are contributing themselves.
Greater transparency is needed. Now it is time for governments – Commonwealth and state – to match that ambition with investment, action and implementation. Ensuring high-quality breast screening is not just good policy – it is one of the most important commitments we can make to women’s health.”
“On International Women’s Day, I’m thinking about the many women who have shaped my life and career.
The mentors who pushed me to aim higher. Dee Anna Smith, Kim Blackwell, Robin Zon, Christie Berger.
The colleagues who collaborate and lead with generosity. Jennifer Cole, Marcy Vallone, Yazhene Krishnaraj, Pamela Paul-McNeill, Anna Dumont, Kristie A. Foster, Melissa Johnson, Meredith Sellers Pelster, Meredith McKean, Denise Yardley, Sarah Premji.
The nurses, research staff, and clinicians who care for patients with extraordinary dedication. Lori Crittendon, Victoria Myers, Kenyatta McKeever, Anita Akins, Quinn C. Melissa Rikal, Kelsey Martin, Marilyn (Holt) Hammer, Annastasia (Aja) Hyde.
And the patients whose strength reminds us every day why our work matters. I’m also reminded how important it is that we continue building pathways for women in medicine, science, and leadership.
And at the end of the day, the role I’m most grateful for is being a mom-raising the next generation and hoping they grow up in a world where opportunity is limitless. Grateful for the women who came before us, and committed to supporting those who will come next. Happy International Women’s Day.”
“Today we celebrate International Women’s Day – honoring the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women everywhere. I’m grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and community members who inspire better ideas, stronger teams, and fairer opportunities every day.
Let’s commit to:
- amplifying women’s voices,
- removing barriers to advancement,
- creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Share one woman who’s made an impact on your career or one change your team will make this year. Empowered Women Empower Women. Thank you for the many women who inspire me.”
Bhawna Sirohi:
“So proud of the work you do Viji Venkatesh. You have helped so many women get back to a normal life after being diagnosed with Cancer – thank you!”