On April 30, 2026, the 2026 CACA-SIOG Anti-Cancer Summit, co-hosted by China Anti Cancer Association (CACA), the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG), and the World Association for Integrative Oncology (WAIO), was successfully convened. The summit attracted participants from countries including China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, France, Algeria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Russia.
The summit featured opening addresses by Prof. Daiming Fan, President of CACA, and Prof. Kwok Leung Cheung, President Elect of SIOG. The meeting was co moderated by Prof. Qiuling Shi, Professor at School of Public Health Chongqing Medical University and Chair of the Geriatric Oncology Committee of CACA, and Ms. Barbara Ewals, Chief Executive Officer of SIOG.
Opening Addresses Launching an Academic Feast
At the beginning of the summit, Prof. Fan, President of CACA, President of Asian Oncology Society, and President of WAIO, delivered an opening address. Prof. Fan first extended a warm welcome to global participants on behalf of the organizers and pointed out that in light of China’s increasingly severe aging population, the prevention and treatment of geriatric cancers cannot be delayed. He emphasized that elderly cancer patients often present with multiple comorbidities and functional decline, and there is an urgent need to systematically integrate geriatric medicine concepts into the entire process of cancer integrated diagnosis and treatment to achieve individualized, evidence based precision care. Prof. Fan also introduced CACA’s fruitful achievements in international cooperation in recent years, including the 31 joint conferences held with multiple countries around the world. He further revealed that CACA and SIOG will formally sign a memorandum of understanding during the CCHIO Annual Meeting to be held in Changsha this November, jointly promoting the development of global geriatric cancer integrated medicine. Finally, Prof. Fan stated that this international anti cancer summit not only represents an important manifestation of deepening cooperation between the two parties but also aims to serve as a vital foundation for their enduring partnership.
Prof. Cheung, President Elect of SIOG and Professor of Breast Surgery and Medical Education at the University of Nottingham, also noted in his address that with the acceleration of global population aging, geriatric cancer has become a common health challenge for all countries. He emphasized that SIOG, as the only international academic organization dedicated exclusively to geriatric cancer diagnosis and treatment, has always been committed to advancing education, research, and clinical practice in this field, and regards international cooperation as a key pathway to addressing this challenge. Prof. Cheung also highly commended CACA’s forward looking explorations in the field of geriatric cancer integrated medicine and expressed anticipation for practical collaboration between the two parties in areas such as the localization of geriatric assessment tools, the promotion of multidisciplinary care models, and the development of international guidelines, jointly contributing academic strength to improving the quality of life and health and well being of elderly cancer patients worldwide.
Keynote Speeches Geriatric Cancer Management from Multidimensional Perspectives
In his report titled “Development of Holistic Integrative Management of Cancer in China”, Prof. Fan systematically introduced the innovative concept of Holistic Integrative Medicine (HIM) in China, put forward the core principles of “uniting efforts, delivering universal relief, and maintaining continuity of care”, shared CACA’s practical explorations in implementing integrative medicine, and highlighted the China Anti Cancer Association Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Cancer (CACA Guidelines) which are grounded in China’s national conditions.
Prof. Siri Rostoft, Secondary Professor at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Senior Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine at Oslo University Hospital, delivered a presentation titled “Geriatric Considerations for Older Adults Undergoing Cancer Treatment”, systematically analyzing the critical role of geriatric assessment tools in cancer treatment decision making and emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment and functional maintenance.
Dr. Nicolo Battisti, Past President of SIOG and Consultant Medical Oncologist in the Breast Unit of The Royal Marsden, London, United Kingdom, gave a presentation titled “Clinical Oncology Considerations for Older Adults Undergoing Cancer Treatment”, sharing insights on how to balance treatment benefits and risks in common geriatric malignancies such as breast cancer, and highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary team collaboration.
Prof. Kwok Leung Cheung, drawing on his background in surgery and education, presented a report titled “Surgical Considerations for Older Adults Undergoing Cancer Treatment”, discussing surgical treatment strategies for elderly cancer patients, emphasizing a treatment philosophy centered on quality of life and functional recovery, and introducing the application value of preoperative optimization, minimally invasive techniques, and non surgical alternatives in this patient population.
Prof. Xiaomei Li, Chief Physician in the Department of Geriatrics at the PLA General Hospital and Honorary Chair of the Geriatric Oncology Committee of CACA, delivered a presentation titled “Cancer in the Elderly: Protection and Practice in China”, comprehensively introducing China’s policies and practical experiences in the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care of geriatric cancers, and calling for the establishment of a more systematic geriatric cancer care system.
Panel Discussion Promoting Integrated Development of Geriatric Oncology through Multidisciplinary Collaboration
During the roundtable discussion, Chinese and international experts engaged in in depth exchanges on topics including surgical decision making for elderly cancer patients, the application of geriatric assessment tools, and international cooperation. The experts agreed that elderly cancer patients are highly heterogeneous, and systematic frailty and functional assessments should be conducted before surgery to guide individualized treatment decisions. Academician Fan emphasized that the treatment of geriatric cancer should shift from a focus on “cancer eradication” to “living with cancer”, prioritizing functional preservation and quality of life. Experts from both sides expressed that they will further strengthen cooperation in areas such as the development of geriatric assessment tools, guideline formulation, and international academic exchanges, jointly promoting the global development of geriatric cancer integrated medicine.
The successful convening of the 2026 CACA-SIOG Anti-Cancer Summit marks a new milestone in anti cancer collaboration between the two organizations, further advancing international cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of geriatric oncology. In the future, CACA will continue to join hands with global partners to promote the international dissemination and clinical translation of the concept of integrated cancer diagnosis and treatment, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the building of a global community of health for all.
