The International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) is bringing together leading oncologists, geriatricians, researchers, nurses, and healthcare professionals for the SIOG 2026 Annual Conference, taking place from November 5–7, 2026, in Valencia, Spain, at Meliá Valencia.
Under the theme “A Global Call to Action: From Vision to Impact in Geriatric Oncology,” this year’s conference focuses on translating scientific evidence into meaningful improvements in cancer care for older adults.
The scientific programme covers five major areas: therapeutic trials in geriatric oncology, the biology and epidemiology of cancer and aging, implementation strategies, supportive care, and education to strengthen geriatric oncology practice.
Led by Conference Chair Myriam Rodriguez Couso, Conference Co-Chairs Nicolás González Senac and Alicia Castelo Loureiro, and Scientific Programme Committee Chair Martine Puts, the meeting aims to address persistent challenges in delivering individualized, evidence-based cancer care to an aging population.
As discussions unfold in Valencia, participants are sharing clinical experiences, research achievements, and perspectives on the future of geriatric oncology.
OncoDaily highlights 15 posts and perspectives worth following from SIOG 2026.
Armin Shahrokni: Where Should Frailty Assessment Begin?
Armin Shahrokni, a geriatric oncologist, shared a practical message from Dr. Gomez-Moreno concerning frailty assessment in patients with cancer.
Dr. Gomez- Moreno : To assess frailty in cancer setting , ” Begin with your own knowledge/ available instruments “
Read the post by Armin Shahrokni
Armin Shahrokni: When Successful Surgery Does Not Mean Full Recovery
In another reflection inspired by SIOG 2026, Armin Shahrokni shared the experience of a patient in his eighties who underwent surgery for colon cancer.
Despite an uncomplicated procedure and timely discharge, the patient was disappointed with his postoperative recovery. Before surgery, he had played singles tennis for two hours a day, four to five times a week. Four weeks later, he could only play doubles three days a week.
Shahrokni used the experience to illustrate why clinical recovery and patient satisfaction are not always synonymous.
The message is patients’ goals are individual goals. ” Your ” understanding and interpretation of ” full ” recovery may not be aligned with the patient’s.
His reflection highlights the importance of understanding what functional recovery means to each individual, rather than relying exclusively on conventional clinical outcomes.
Read the post by Armin Shahrokni
Frederiek van den Bos: Leiden Researchers Present Four Posters at SIOG 2026
Frederiek van den Bos, Professor of Medicine and Internist-Geriatrician at Leiden University Medical Center, celebrated the contributions of the Leiden Geriatric Oncology Research Group to the conference.
Very proud of Luuk Ciere, Claudia Lucassen, Julia Wolbink, Leander van Baalen who presented 4 poster at the SIOG conference in Valencia.
The post recognizes Luuk Ciere, Claudia Lucassen, Julia Wolbink, and Leander van Baalen, while also acknowledging the research group associated with Gerrit-Jan Liefers and Johanneke Portielje.
Read the post by Frederiek van den Bos
Christopher Steer: Moving from Evidence to Better Cancer Services
Christopher Steer, Medical Oncologist at Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre and Associate Professor at UNSW, reflected on the opening session of SIOG 2026.
The world experts in the cancer care of older people sharing strategies needed to implement necessary service improvements globally.
Steer acknowledged the progress made in Australia through organizations including Cancer Australia and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), while emphasizing the need for further improvements.
Read the post by Christopher Steer
Lucy Lewis: Assessment Must Lead to Individualized Care
Lucy Lewis, a consultant nurse focused on improving healthcare for older people, shared a concise message from the conference.
Not assessment for the sake of it but for individualised care for all.
Sandi Vonnes: Bringing the Geriatric Oncology Community Together
Sandi Vonnes, an advanced practice nurse with extensive expertise in geriatric and oncology care, shared her enthusiasm for participating in SIOG 2026.
Great to be here in Valencia with champions on gero oncology SIOG2026
Zacharoula Sidiropoulou: Cancer Equity Must Extend Beyond Conferences and Policies
Zacharoula Sidiropoulou, Senior Breast Surgical Oncologist and researcher in cancer screening and health equity, shared a reflection while traveling to Valencia after attending several international healthcare and oncology meetings.
Connecting discussions from the World Health Summit, ESMO 2026, and London Global Cancer Week with the SIOG conference, she raised questions about access to cancer care and the ability of healthcare systems to deliver scientific advances to patients.
Four very different meetings, dedicated fully or including, #cancer with the same questions keeping arround: who gets access, who is left behind, and whether the systems we build actually deliver what science makes possible.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience treating women with breast cancer, Sidiropoulou emphasized that healthcare policy must ultimately be measured by its impact on individual patients.
She also expressed support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for World Health Organization Director-General, highlighting his clinical background and efforts to strengthen cancer services and international collaboration.
Geography must not decide who lives.
Read the post by Zacharoula Sidiropoulou
Cris Bergerot: ASCO and SIOG Join Forces to Advance Geriatric Oncology
Cris Bergerot, PhD, FASCO, Research Consultant at City of Hope, highlighted a joint session organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and SIOG.
Bergerot congratulated speakers Houda Belfekih, Theodora Karnakis, and Enrique Soto Perez de Celis for their contributions and thanked Soto Perez de Celis for co-chairing the session.
Great discussions and an important reminder that improving care for older adults with cancer requires not only strong evidence, but also practical, adaptable solutions.
Read the post by Cris Bergerot
ACADI: Strengthening Observational Research in Geriatric Oncology
The Ageing, Cancer, and Disparities Research Unit (ACADI) shared updates from its participation in Valencia.
The group highlighted a workshop delivered by Sophie Pilleron and Pauline Duquenne on behalf of the SIOG Methods Working Group.
We are off to a strong start with Sophie Pilleron and Pauline Duquenne delivering a workshop on behalf of the SIOG Methods Working Group, covering best practices for designing observational studies in geriatric oncology.
Follow ACADI’s conference updates
myPatientSpace: GERONTE Introduces a More Integrated Approach to Cancer Care for Older Adults
myPatientSpace highlighted the presentation of the GERONTE model at the opening reception of the 26th SIOG Annual Conference in Valencia, where Una Kearns, CEO and Founder of myPatientSpace, joined Prof. Pierre Soubeyran, Scientific Coordinator of the GERONTE H2020 consortium, to introduce an approach designed to improve care coordination for older adults with cancer.
Rethinking cancer care for older adults: GERONTE at the #SIOG2026 opening reception in Valencia.
GERONTE is a six-year project funded through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, bringing together ten partners across seven countries. Its approach focuses on the needs of the whole patient, integrating cancer treatment with the management of other health conditions.
Developed in collaboration with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, the model combines geriatric screening, individualized care goals, multidisciplinary treatment planning, remote symptom monitoring, and personalized support. An advanced practice nurse coordinates care through a shared digital platform.
As the project’s technology partner, myPatientSpace supports the implementation of this pathway through its digital platform, designed to connect patients, caregivers, and clinical teams.
GERONTE is a six-year EU Horizon 2020 project bringing together ten partners in seven countries to build care around the whole older person, not one disease at a time.
Follow myPatientSpace on LinkedIn
From Vision to Impact: The Message Emerging from Valencia
The discussions shared during SIOG 2026 reflect the growing recognition that improving cancer care for older adults requires more than advances in treatment alone.
From frailty assessment and postoperative functional recovery to research methodology, supportive care, and healthcare implementation, the conference highlights the importance of adapting oncology practice to the needs of an increasingly diverse older population.
The perspectives shared by clinicians and researchers also reinforce the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered decision-making, and international knowledge exchange.
As SIOG 2026 continues through November 7, Valencia remains a meeting point for professionals working toward a common objective: ensuring that advances in geriatric oncology translate into better, more individualized care for older adults living with cancer.
