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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Global Collaboration and Learning at the 27th Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium

Photo of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium in progress

Transforming breast cancer treatment – locally, nationally, and globally – depends on a united commitment to progress. The 27th Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium, hosted in Chicago by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, brought together leading experts and early-career oncologists from across the globe to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and elevate patient care.

From October 23–25, nearly 500 attendees participated in interactive sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. For the first time in the Symposium’s history, representatives from each of Chicago’s 28 Sister Cities were selected to receive the Chicago Sister Cities Medical Initiative Award. These fellows and residents, early in their careers, seized the opportunity to learn from internationally recognized experts and to connect with peers equally dedicated to advancing breast cancer research and treatment.

This 3.5-day conference provided a comprehensive look at advances in breast cancer care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and emerging technologies. Early sessions examined emerging topics, including metabolic and hormonal influences, GLP-1 therapies, sustainability in oncology, and the integration of artificial intelligence, alongside complex surgical and reconstruction challenges. Focus then shifted to specialized topics, covering imaging and risk assessment, disparities in cancer care, lobular carcinoma, and advances in systemic and endocrine therapies. Later sessions examined controversial approaches such as cryoablation, preoperative radiation, molecular minimal residual disease, and de-escalating surgeries.

Led by faculty from Northwestern and other leading cancer centers, the meeting emphasized practice-changing research, multidisciplinary collaboration, and innovation. Awardees valued the sessions and the opportunity to bring new insights back to their institutions:

  • Mansoor Abbas, medical oncologist from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, emphasized the importance of applying state-of-the-art advances to improve care in financially constrained communities.
  • Ravi Naik, surgeon from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in the United Kingdom, attended on the recommendation of his mentor and praised the relevance of the agenda in improving healthcare delivery.

Since 2011, the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium has welcomed more than 200 international physicians through the Chicago Sister Cities International Medical Initiative Program. Guided by the team at Lurie Cancer Center, awardees explore Northwestern Medicine’s world-class facilities and engage with clinicians leading the fight against breast cancer.

The symposium continues to serve as a global platform for collaboration, inspiring new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Lurie Cancer Center is deeply grateful for the longstanding partnership with the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation, which funds this initiative and is committed to education and developing early-career oncologists who will shape the future of the field. Chicago Sister Cities International also plays a vital role, providing support that helps cultivate the next generation of leaders in breast cancer care. Together, these partnerships amplify our collective impact, strengthening the next generation of global breast cancer leaders and improving care for patients everywhere.