ASCO meeting highlights grief alongside cancer data, honoring late oncologist Amy Lin

At the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, scientists presented abundant new cancer data, but this year the program also gave space to the emotional side of oncology.

Outgoing president Eric Small opened the conference by recalling his partner, UCSF oncologist Amy Lin, who died in December from metastatic clear cell ovarian cancer, a rare disease with limited treatment options.

Small invited grief specialist David Kessler to speak about compassionate end-of-life care, underscoring how loss shapes the practice of cancer treatment.

The focus on grief offered attendees a reminder that caring for patients extends beyond clinical outcomes.