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38th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium
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26th Workshop on Methods in Clinical Cancer Research (MCCR)
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Clinical Trial Statistics for Non Statisticians 2026
June 9, 2026 - June 12, 2026
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15th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-15)
March 25, 2026 - March 27, 2026
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Interested To Learn More About Cancer Research?
On 6 & 7 November 2025, EORTC organises a training course aiming to provide you with a stimulating and challenging experience leading to a much better understanding of cancer research.
A two-day training course for cancer patients, caregivers, and patient advocates
The course programme has been co-developed together with patient partners of EORTC.
The course will be conducted in English and is aimed for cancer patients, caregivers of cancer patients, family members, patient advocates, and patient representatives.
It will give you an opportunity to interact with clinical oncologists and other people with lived experience of cancer.
Programme
Thursday, 6 November 2025
Discover the latest insights into cancer development and treatments, starting with an overview of cancer biology. Next, you can learn how a multidisciplinary approach brings together expertise from radiation oncology, immunotherapy, and molecular imaging. The day concludes with patient stories and patient engagement initiatives.
Friday, 7 November 2025
Dive into the world of novel cancer treatments and the critical role of clinical trials in advancing care. Explore how exercise and lifestyle choices can support treatment outcomes, along with the impact of mental health and emotional well-being.
The detailed programme can be consulted below.
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Registration |
| 11:00 – 11:10 | Welcome & Introduction (Iryna Shakhnenko) |
| 11:10 – 11:20 | Setting the scene (Winette van der Graaf) |
| Session 1. INSIGHTS INTO CANCER BIOLOGY AND TREATMENT | |
| 11:20 – 11:40 | Cancer cell formation: understanding the causes to find the cure (Gianmarco Contino) |
| 11:40 – 12:00 | Role of pathologist & what happens after the biopsy (Roberto Salgado) |
| 12:00 – 12:20 | Cancer and your genes: why genomics matters in treatment planning (Sam Rack) |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | Cancer in the family: what genetic testing can reveal (Francois Duhoux) |
| 12:40 – 13:00 | Q&A |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| Session 2. MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETING | |
| 14:00 – 14:20 | Novel applications in radiation oncology: hypofractionation (Yolande Lievens) |
| 14:20 – 14:40 | Could immunotherapy be part of my treatment? (Kalijn Bol) |
| 14:40 – 15:00 | Molecular imaging in cancer care: improving diagnosis and treatment decisions (Sophie Velhuijzen van Zanten) |
| 15:00 – 15:20 | Understanding Minimal Residual Disease (MRD): track cancer at its earliest (Michail Ignatiadis) |
| 15:20 – 16:00 | Round tables with experts |
| 16:00 – 16:20 | Coffee break |
| Session 3. PATIENT STORIES & PATIENT INVOLVEMENT | |
| 16:20 – 16:40 | A journey towards empowerment: from patient to partner (Gerry Feeney) |
| 16:40 – 17:00 | The impact of patients’ voices on cancer research outcomes: how to turn experience into evidence (Saran Green) |
| 17:00 – 17:20 | Patient organisations and their vital role in oncology research (Mila Ogalla Toledo) |
| 19:00 | Dinner at Cercle des Voyageurs |
| 09:00 – 09:10 | Welcome & Introduction (Winette van der Graaf, Iryna Shakhnenko) |
| Session 4. NOVEL CANCER TREATMENTS | |
| 09:10 – 09:30 | How cancer medicines are developed and approved (Myrto Moutafi) |
| 09:30 – 09:50 | Advances in personalized medicine for cancer care (Anne-Marie Dingemans) |
| 09:50 – 10:10 | Radionuclear medicine: innovations in imaging and treatment (Renaud Lhommel) |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | Q&A |
| 10:30 – 10:50 | Coffee break |
| Session 5. CLINICAL TRIALS | |
| 10:50 – 11:10 | Clinical trials: practical set-up, legal and ethical framework (Larissa Polders) |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | From patients’ needs to the trial design: choosing the right endpoints (Winette van der Graaf) |
| 11:30 – 11:50 | Randomisation, blinding, and placebo: what stands behind it (Saskia Litiere) |
| 11:50 – 12:10 | Pragmatic trials and their value for patients (Denis Lacombe) |
| 12:10 – 12:15 | Message from Kom Op Tegen Kanker (academic research funding partner)(Robrecht Lembrechts) |
| 12:15 – 12:30 | Q&A |
| 12:30 – 12:50 | Break |
| 12:50 – 13:10 | What happens next: understanding trial results & impact (Christopher Cronin) |
| 13:10 – 13:30 | QoL: value of the patient-reported outcomes (Lotte van der Weijst) |
| 13:30 – 13:40 | Q&A |
| 13:40 – 14:40 | Lunch |
| Session 6. CANCER, LIFESTYLE, MENTAL HEALTH | |
| 14:40 – 15:00 | Exercise throughout the cancer care continuum (Anouk Hiensch) |
| 15:00 – 15:20 | Mental and emotional wellbeing: managing stress and emotions during cancer (Monika Sztankay) |
| 15:20 – 15:30 | Q&A |
| 15:30 | Closing event |
Application
Interested in applying to join EORTC Patient Days 2025? Apply before 15 August to be considered for this unique event focused on meaningful exchange and patient empowerment.
To help us create a balanced and impactful experience, we kindly ask you to share a brief motivation for attending.
Please note: Travel and accommodation will be covered by EORTC, but spaces are limited—so make your application count!
Application deadline: 15 August 2025
Sponsorship
Patient Days is a two-day training course designed for cancer patients, caregivers, and patient advocates.
Sponsoring this event offers your organisation the opportunity to join expert panels alongside product developers, and to engage directly with patients and advocates on key topics in cancer care.
We’ve developed four sponsorship packages—Major Sponsor, Sponsor, Contributor, and Supporter—each designed to provide meaningful visibility and engagement for our partners.
Contributors
Supporters
Venue
| THE HOTEL. BRUSSELS Boulevard de Waterloo 38, 1000 Brussels, Belgium T: +32 2 504 11 11 |
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Contact details
If you have any further queries, please contact us using the details below.
Iryna Shakhnenko
c/o EORTC
Avenue E. Mounier 83, B-1200 Brussels
Email: iryna.shakhnenko@eortc.org
