Grezia Siancas, Medical Oncologist, ASCO and ESMO Member, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Years ago, when I was beginning my training in oncology, many of the names I read in scientific papers, clinical guidelines, and conference presentations felt very distant.
I remember watching their lectures from my computer, learning from their presentations, and thinking that meeting them in person one day was almost unimaginable.
One of those names was Tony Mok.
His contributions have helped transform the treatment of lung cancer and have played a pivotal role in advancing precision medicine in this field.
At American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025, I had the opportunity to watch him present live for the first time. This year, at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026, I had the privilege of meeting him in person and having a conversation with him.
Beyond the photograph, this moment reminded me why I chose this path: to keep learning, to contribute to research, and to help bring scientific advances closer to the patients who need them most.
But it also reminded me of something equally important: behind some of the most influential names in our field are individuals who stand out not only for their scientific contributions, but also for their kindness, generosity, and humility.
Seeing someone whose work has had such an extraordinary impact on oncology remain so approachable and humble reinforces a lesson I hope to carry throughout my career: no matter how much we achieve, we should never lose our humility. With our colleagues, with our trainees, and above all, with our patients.
As a Peruvian medical oncologist, experiences like this remind me that professional dreams are built step by step, through hard work, perseverance, and the belief that there is always more to learn.
They also remind me of the importance of participating in meetings like American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) , where scientific exchange, collaboration, and innovation fuel our professional growth and help us bring the latest advances to those who matter most: our patients.
Because ultimately, every lesson learned, every conversation, and every new idea share the same purpose: improving the lives of the people who place their trust in us.
Grateful for the opportunity to attend this remarkable congress once again, for everything I have learned, for the people who have inspired my journey, and for everything that is still to come.
Because the true value of experiences like these lies not only in the scientific advances we witness, but also in the people we meet, the conversations that shape us, and the motivation we bring back home to continue building a better future for our patients.”
