Fight Colorectal Cancer shared on LinkedIn:
”In June 2025, we convened the first-ever Global Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Think Tank in Barcelona, bringing together researchers, clinicians, advocates, and global partners with a shared purpose:
To confront the rising burden of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) through coordinated, international action. Since then, the momentum has translated into meaningful structure and progress.
Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Global Collaborative: Year One Recap
In June 2025, we convened the first-ever Global Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Think Tank in Barcelona, bringing together researchers, clinicians, advocates, and global partners with a shared purpose:
To confront the rising burden of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) through coordinated, international action.
Since then, the momentum has translated into meaningful structure and progress. Here’s a look back at some of the moments that shaped the Collaborative’s first year.
Nearly 15 members of the EOCRC Global Collaborative gathered for an off-site lunch at American Association for Cancer Research Early-Onset Cancer Symposium – a six-month check-in since our Barcelona Think Tank.
We also presented our poster outlining the Global Research Framework for EOCRC, sharing the hybrid consensus methods and two-year, patient-centered research roadmap that came out of
Barcelona.
Proud to see Collaborative members well represented among AACR presenters, including Daniel Buchanan, Folasade (Fola) May, Andrew Chan and Rebecca Siegel.
Fight CRC hosted an early-morning Research Breakfast for the EOCRC Global Collaborative, bringing together advocates, partners, and the Medical Advisory Board to align on research priorities and center the patient voice in clinical trial design.
We also shared findings from the Global Patient and Caregiver Survey – documenting regional gaps in awareness, testing, and trial access that directly shaped our Collaborative’s priorities.
Shoutout to Jennifer Weiss and Shruti Patel for representing EOCRC among the speakers!
Senior advisor Dr. Andrew Chan presented the EOCRC Think Tank’s primary research topics and collaboration opportunities at the Stand Up To Cancer Scientific Summit.
Joining him: MAB leaders Dr. Cathy Eng, Dr. Folasade (Fola) May and Andrea Dwyer – alongside additional Collaborative members and our NCI partners, Dr. LeeAnn Bailey and colleagues.
At the InSiGHT Biennial Meeting, Daniel Buchanan co-facilitated an EOCRC Hour bringing together researchers from across the globe.
The session featured:
- Dr. Alvin Ng on mutational heterogeneity in EOCRC tumors from Singapore
- Prof. Toni Seppälä on EOCRC statistics in the Nordic region and somatic mutation drivers
- Dr. Buchanan on Australia’s EOCRC landscape and the four working groups of our Global Collaborative
Collaborative members were also featured as speakers throughout the broader conference:
Francesc Balaguer, Penelope Edwards, Finlay Macrae, Kevin Monahan, Laura Valle, and more.
At Fight CRC’s Call on Congress, CEO Anjee Davis convened a meeting with Dr. Anthony Letai, newly appointed Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) – joined by Fight CRC Board and Medical Advisory Board members.
Dr. Folasade May and Andrea Dwyer shared priorities around screening equity and clinical trial advancement. Andrea also presented on the EOCRC Global Collaborative and will continue collaborating with Dr. Letai’s office and the NCI’s Office of the Director.
Each of these milestones reflects the power of bringing researchers, clinicians, advocates, and global partners together around a shared goal.
As the Global Collaborative continues to grow, we remain committed to centering the patient voice, strengthening international collaboration, and accelerating progress for everyone affected by early-onset colorectal cancer.
Learn more about the Global Research Collaborative and its work.”
You can also read: BioNTech Terminates Phase 2 Autogene Cevumeran mRNA Cancer Vaccine Trial in Colorectal Cancer
