STAT+: At the world’s largest cancer research meeting, data briefly took a backseat to grief

STAT PlusHealth At the world’s largest cancer research meeting, data briefly took a backseat to grief ASCO’s outgoing president explains why he wanted to focus on the subject of loss Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Katherine MacPhailJune 1, 2026 Reporter, Live Journalism Katherine MacPhail[email protected]Katherine MacPhail is a reporter and editorial events programmer for STAT. CHICAGO — At every annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the congregation of oncologists scrutinizes data on survival and mortality, among other measures of the care they provide. But comparatively few conversations focus on the grief and loss that is inherent in the work of oncologists. That changed a bit this year. In his opening address, the organization’s outgoing president, Eric Small, spoke about his partner, University of California, San Francisco, oncologist Amy Lin, who died in December. She had metastatic clear cell ovarian cancer, a rare disease with few treatment options. Small also brought a different kind of specialist to ASCO’s main stage: David Kessler, an expert on grief and loss, who gave a talk about compassionate end-of-life care.Advertisement STAT sat down with Small to talk about the meeting, about Lin, and about how loss has changed his perspective on oncology. His “presidential theme” for the year was “The Science and Practice of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide.” STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In ASCO, Cancer, patients, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Katherine MacPhail Reporter, Live Journalism Katherine MacPhail is a reporter and editorial events programmer for STAT. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Health June 1, 2026 As FDA misses deadline on electric shock ban, disability advocates speak out Health Care Inc. Newsletter June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare’s mum on GLP-1s, and Massachusetts sues United Advertisement Pharmalot June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about pancreatic and lung cancer drugs, China biotech growth, and more First Opinion Podcast June 1, 2026 What should hospitals do when patients demand unvaccinated donor blood? The Readout June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: A turning point for pancreatic cancer patients Subscriber Picks