The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) presents a unique opportunity to bring together members from around the globe, incorporate various disciplines and viewpoints, and create a forum to share these diverse perspectives.

As an international organization, the IASLC strives to be highly inclusive, focusing on amplifying every member’s voice and advancing equity to improve outcomes in lung cancer care.

“It’s very important for our members—and for the world—to know that equity in preventing and overcoming thoracic cancers is central to our mission,” said IASLC Board Member Natasha Leighl, MMSc, MD, who helped organize the session.

Dr. Leighl, a medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, will support the team for “Advancing Equity in Lung Cancer: Multidisciplinary Global Voices and Inclusive Solutions” during WCLC 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The session will take place on Monday, September 14, at 13:45 KST This will be a first-come, first-served session, and participation is limited to 40 attendees.

Advancing Equity in Lung Cancer: Multidisciplinary Global Voices and Inclusive Solutions

Monday, September 14, at 13:45 KST • Room 308, Conference Room South, 3F

This limited-capacity session will explore global access to lung cancer biomarkers and clinical trials, diverse leadership and mentorship in lung cancer, and more. LEARN MORE

Expert panelists from around the globe will discuss a range of topics, including key barriers in different regions, specific groups or areas that have successfully addressed certain barriers, practical takeaways that can be implemented globally, and the people or stakeholders needed to overcome these barriers and create meaningful change for patients in the lung cancer community.

“We’re thrilled to have leaders from North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia coming together to discuss the challenges and problems we all face, and how we can move forward,” Dr. Leighl said.

Now more than ever, the fields of lung cancer and thoracic oncology are at a watershed moment. While tremendous progress has been made in some regions and for certain types of thoracic cancers, a large and growing divide remains in other parts of the world.

This session will feature interactive discussions with world-renowned leaders focusing on five key areas:

• Access to biomarkers and clinical trials
• Improving screening processes and building trust within underserved populations
• Making clinical research more inclusive
• Promoting diverse leadership and mentorship within the lung cancer community
• Overcoming the growing digital divide

“I think it’s the perfect time to look at where we’re making so much progress, ask how we can ‘raise the tide to float all ships,’ and ensure that everybody benefits from the progress being made.”

— Natasha Leighl, MMSc, MD

Unlike a traditional education session, attendees can join the conversation. Discussion groups will be led by world-renowned experts and will focus on identifying the key barrier in a specific area, highlighting what is already working, selecting one practical priority action to pursue, and determining who to engage with in order to make that action happen.

These priority actions and recommendations will then be shared with the IASLC leadership, providing attendees with an opportunity to make their voices heard and encouraging them to join the IASLC in its journey to eradicate thoracic cancers and ensure equitable access to lung cancer treatments and technologies.

“I hope that members and attendees know that the IASLC cares, that we’re listening, and that their voices and views matter and will be taken into account,” Dr. Leighl said. “I also hope that people feel the IASLC’s enthusiasm for making change, improving outcomes, and including our members in taking ownership of the IASLC’s future to help shape it. The hope is that people will come to share their ideas, thoughts, frustrations, passions, and help us problem-solve.”

Please refer to the 2026 WCLC Scientific Program for the most up-to-date schedule information.