Irish Cancer Society Selected to Showcase Patient Partnership in Cancer Research at World’s Largest Oncology Conference
Dublin, 2 June 2026: The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has showcased its pioneering approach to Public and Patient Partnership in cancer care and research at ASCO 2026, the world’s largest oncology conference.
The Irish Cancer Society was the only Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) from Ireland, and one of just two PAGs from the European Union, selected to attend the prestigious conference and present its work alongside Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) to the international oncology community.
Public and Patient Partnership in oncology seeks to ensure that cancer research is informed by the lived experiences, insights and expertise of people affected by cancer, helping to shape research priorities and improve patient outcomes.
Claire Kilty, Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society, said the organisation was proud to demonstrate how patient partnership is being embedded across cancer research and care in Ireland.
“In oncology, Public and Patient Partnership means that cancer research is carried out with meaningful input from cancer patients, gaining from their lived experience, insights and knowledge.
“At ASCO, the Irish Cancer Society showed the international clinical research community how we are embedding patient partnership into clinical practice, clinical care and into the research decision-making process. The partnership model is unique as we are not piloting in isolation. We are building a scalable, national model and sharing it across cancer centres, while also contributing to European frameworks through the Organisation of European Cancer Institutions (OECI).
“In partnership with Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, we work to ensure that cancer patients in Ireland have the opportunity to be involved in cancer research. This advances the quality and impact of cancer research and care, ensuring that it better meets patients’ needs.”
Ireland’s first Public and Patient Partnership Lead, Gráinne Smith of Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration in ensuring patients have a meaningful role in shaping cancer services and research.
“Embedding Patient and Public Partnership in a cancer centre requires dedicated leadership, strong organisational commitment, and sustained investment of time. The collaboration between Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute and the Irish Cancer Society has been instrumental in enabling this approach.
“During the OECI designation of TSJCI as Ireland’s first Comprehensive Cancer Centre, particular recognition was given to the centre’s strong focus on the patient voice and experience.
“I am delighted that we had the opportunity to attend ASCO and showcase the progress made at Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute with the Irish Cancer Society in embedding patient partnership across both cancer care and research. We are committed to fostering a culture where patients are active partners, not only in their own care, but also in shaping the research that will define future cancer services.”
Patient partner Linda Chanders from Kildare also attended the conference and shared the impact of involving patients directly in research initiatives.
“It is incredibly meaningful to partner with the Irish Cancer Society and Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute so that researchers can learn from experience with cancer diagnosis and treatment to inform and improve cancer research. It is hugely exciting to have had the opportunity to attend ASCO and to share what we’ve achieved in Ireland, to help patients globally.”
ASCO 2026 took place in Chicago from 29 May to 2 June and attracted up to 45,000 attendees, including oncology professionals, researchers and patient advocates from around the world.
The Irish Cancer Society currently works with a panel of more than 40 patient partners who collaborate with scientific reviewers to help determine research funding priorities and contribute to shaping cancer research across Ireland.
As the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society continues to play a leading role in advancing Public and Patient Partnership nationally. The organisation funded Ireland’s first Public and Patient Partnership Lead position, held by Gráinne Smith at Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, and represents Ireland on the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Working Group on Patient Partnership.
