Darcy Burbage, Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, shared on LinkedIn:
”What an incredible weekend of connection, learning, and collaboration at the COSMO26 conference in Chicago! Thank you Women in Medicine and staff for a fantastic program!
One of the highlights was finally meeting so many colleagues I’ve known only through social media; connected by our shared commitment to providing credible, evidence-based cancer information and addressing misinformation online
The meeting kicked off with a friendly debate by Don S. Dizon and Stephanie Graff about the benefits and risks of social media, including an important question: What is our responsibility as clinicians when the science evolves and recommendations change? One takeaway that resonated with me was the importance of transparency: ‘At this time, this is what we know…’
Several sessions explored AI in oncology – from bias, data integrity, and regulation to ‘digital twins.’ One message was clear: lived experience experts (IYKYK!) and oncology clinicians need to be at the table. We have an opportunity and responsibility to partner with AI developers to help improve the relevance, accuracy, and safety of cancer information.
A few practical strategies:
- Encourage individuals to bring information they find through AI to their healthcare visits and discuss it without judgment.
- Help people learn how to ask better questions and use more effective prompts.
- Be intentional and transparent about the benefits and limitations of AI.
I loved being part of the Multidisciplinary Voices in Oncology Social Media panel alongside rockstar digital opinion leaders Eric Singhi, Dr. Joseph McCollom DO, Kelsey Mora, Krystle Zuniga!
Regardless of our role on the MDC team, social media gives us another platform to educate, advocate, connect, and support people living with cancer.
And perhaps most importantly, lived experience experts weren’t simply included in the conversation they helped lead it. Cancer is something a person experiences; it is not who they are. People living with cancer are valued partners in every aspect of care and need to be part of every conversation.
This year’s keynote speaker Carolyn Taylor shared her powerful work of people living with cancer in LMIC. She reminded us of the profound inequities in access and the stigma that still surrounds a cancer diagnosis in many parts of the world. She also challenged us to recognize our shared humanity and the opportunity social media provides to build community and connection across the globe.
I’m honored to have been invited to participate and grateful to learn from and alongside so many thoughtful voices in oncology!
So much more was discussed than I could possibly capture in one post! These picture represent just a few of the people and moments that made COSMO26 so special.”
Other articles about COSMO 2026 on OncoDaily.
