NCCN 2026 Annual Conference Prepares Cancer Care Providers Worldwide for Healing the Whole Patient

Pressing issues in oncology, including rising cancer incidences in younger people, plus global opportunities for improving outcomes, were presented alongside cutting-edge research and clinical guidelines updates, during yearly event hosted by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:22am

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The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) brought together more than a thousand oncology professionals at the NCCN 2026 Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, with hundreds more joining virtually. The event featured educational sessions on the latest breakthroughs in cancer prevention and treatment, clinical guidelines updates, guidance for improving cancer center operations, and panel discussions on critical issues in care delivery.

Why it matters

The conference addressed pressing issues in oncology, including the alarming rise in cancer incidence in people under 50, and how providers should adjust to this new reality. It also tackled cancer care around the world, with a focus on the growing burden and new opportunities to address it, as well as best practices for oncology program operations.

The details

The conference opened with a plenary session exploring the causes of the rise in cancer incidence in people under 50, and how providers should adapt. Speakers noted that scheduling and financial toxicity are particularly troublesome for younger people, and more education is needed to better prepare survivors and health care systems. A second plenary session tackled cancer care around the world, highlighting the growing burden and new opportunities to address it, such as standardizing treatments worldwide and upscaling prevention. The conference also featured an educational track on best practices for oncology program operations, including sessions on the role of guidelines, optimizing collaborations, and policy insights.

  • The NCCN 2026 Annual Conference took place on April 1, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.
  • Next year, the NCCN Annual Conference will move to San Diego, California and take place from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21, 2027.

The players

Crystal S. Denlinger, MD

CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

Christopher Lieu, MD

University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center, Vice-Chair of the NCCN Board of Directors.

Anu K. Agrawal, MD

Vice President, Global Cancer Support, American Cancer Society (ACS).

Lawrence N. Shulman, MD, MACP, FASCO

Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Member of the NCCN Best Practices Committee and Policy Advisory Group.

Taneal D. Carter, DHSc, MPA, MS

Senior Manager of the NCCN Cancer Care Equity Program.

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What they’re saying

“We gain so much from gathering together to share ideas and best practices, make new connections, and forge new collaborations. Conference attendees tell us they feel a renewed energy and hope for the future after discussing how cancer care has advanced over the past year. This helps us all serve our patients better and ensure they experience the best care and outcomes possible.”

— Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, CEO, NCCN

“All patients, but particularly early-onset adults, should have a full team providing multidisciplinary, holistic care. Adolescents and young adults with cancer have unique challenges and rely on supportive services to ensure good quality of life through treatment and for years to come.”

— Christopher Lieu, MD, University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center, Vice-Chair of the NCCN Board of Directors

“Well-conceived programs can make an incredible difference in these settings. A lot of people are very interested in helping; we just need them to work together. We must move swiftly to action and support cancer-related policies with practical resources.”

— Anu K. Agrawal, MD, Vice President, Global Cancer Support, American Cancer Society (ACS)

“The NCCN Guidelines were downloaded more than 18 million times last year. That is a sign that people want to do the right thing and provide the best care that they can. New advances have benefited our patients, who are living longer, which is great news. But they stay in our practices longer, and together with the growing number of new cancer patients in the U.S., our oncology work force is ever more strained. We need to make care more efficient with improved electronic health records (EHRs), other technologies, and reducing administrative burdens.”

— Lawrence N. Shulman, MD, MACP, FASCO, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Member of the NCCN Best Practices Committee and Policy Advisory Group

What’s next

Next year, the NCCN Annual Conference moves to San Diego, California for the first time. Save the dates: Friday, March 19 – Sunday, March 21, 2027.

The takeaway

The NCCN 2026 Annual Conference addressed critical issues in cancer care, including the rise in early-onset cancer, global disparities in access and outcomes, and strategies to improve oncology program operations. The event showcased the NCCN's role in driving progress through clinical guidelines, research, and collaborative initiatives to better serve patients worldwide.