JCO Journals shared an article on LinkedIn:
“Headed to ASCO26? Don’t miss ‘The Best of JCO Global Oncology: Improving Affordability in Cancer Care for Resource-Limited Settings,’ a panel that will explore innovative, evidence-based approaches to evaluating alternative dosing and novel treatment strategies that prioritize both efficacy and accessibility.
The ‘Impossible’ Career Path Is Now a Mandate
Written by Katherine Van Loon, University of California, San Francisco
Fourteen years ago, when I was first hired into my faculty role at UCSF, a career dedicated to tackling global disparities in cancer care was unprecedented. At the time, my interest in global oncology was often described as ‘unrealistic,’ ‘non-viable‘ and even ‘impossible.’ That’s why I’m so excited to see this career path take center stage at the ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting.
Global Disparities in Care
Today, the staggering gap in global cancer care is a mainstream concern—and with good reason. Current research suggests that low- and middle-income countries account for more than 75% of global cancer deaths despite having the lowest incident rates (source: PubMed). The WHO reports that the cost of newer cancer medicines is about 10 years of average annual wages in certain developing countries, making ‘standard care’ a relative term rather than a universal one (source: WHO Technical Report).
The ‘impossible‘ career path from the 2010s will take center stage with the Journal of Global Oncology at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, as we come together with industry colleagues to explore this year’s powerful theme: translating scientific discovery into impact for every patient, in every setting, around the world.
Closing the Gap
I’m thrilled to invite you to ‘The Best of JCO Global Oncology: Improving Affordability in Cancer Care for Resource-Limited Settings,’ a panel discussion on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
We will explore innovative, evidence-based approaches to evaluating alternative dosing and novel treatment strategies that prioritize both efficacy and accessibility. Joining me are three JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO) authors who are redefining affordability in cancer care:
- Dr. Akhil Kapoor, whose METRO-CHASE study examines oral metronomic chemotherapy as a viable alternative for head and neck cancer.
- Dr. Carlos Magliano, Sr., whose writing considers the budget impact of Oncotype DX in the Brazilian private healthcare system.
- Dr. Celine Hoyek, author of a systematic review of low-dose immunotherapy as a bridge over financial and access barriers.
JCO GO is an open-access journal born from a growing need to describe the unique challenges professionals face in settings where resources are finite, but the need feels infinite. I am deeply grateful to ASCO President Dr. Eric J. Small, the USCF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and ASCO for amplifying these voices of our global oncology community.
Mark Your Calendar:
- Session: ‘The Best of Global Oncology: Improving Affordability in Cancer Care’
- Time/Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 4:45 to 6 p.m.
- Location: Room S403
- Official Link: JCO Central at ASCO 2026
Will We See You There?
Help us gauge attendance and prepare for the discussion by indicating your interest via this form. I’m excited to continue turning ‘impossible’ into a global reality!”
Other articles about ASCO 2026 on OncoDaily.