More than 200 nurses attend Regional Oncology Nursing Conference to discuss future of holistic oncology care including integrative oncology

• Organised by the National Cancer Centre Singapore, the regional conference brings together nurses, oncology specialists and healthcare professionals from the Asia-Pacific region 
• Conference focuses on integrative oncology, emerging cancer treatment modalities, harnessing AI for clinical applications and future challenges for oncology nursing 

Singapore, 8 May 2026 – The 5th Regional Oncology Nursing Conference (RONC) organised by the National Cancer Centre Singapore opened today bringing together over 200 nurses, nursing leaders and oncology specialists to exchange knowledge and best practices, foster collaborations and strengthen oncology nursing care capabilities across the region.

The 3-day conference themed ‘Strength in Diversity: Tailoring Oncology Care for Every Patient’, features global key opinion leaders from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Austin Health and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse who will be sharing expert insights focusing on Integrative Oncology and the future of oncology care. Reflecting the growing importance of regional collaboration to address cancer care needs, the conference attracted participation from speakers and participants from across the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore and Taiwan. The conference is supported by partners including Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, National University Hospital, and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.

To equip nurses with the knowledge and skills to help patients navigate safe integrative care options, Integrative Oncology is a topic that will be presented. This will focus on the integration of Eastern and Western oncology approaches, personalised supportive care interventions, mind-body therapies, comprehensive psychosocial services, and holistic care models that address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of cancer patients.

The future of oncology care segment features advanced and emerging treatment modalities including CAR-T cell therapy and precision medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) applications in clinical decision-making, next-generation immunotherapies, and evolving safety standards in oncology practice.

The Vital Role of Oncology Nursing in an Evolving Healthcare Landscape

Cancer is a significant and growing health challenge in Singapore and globally. In Singapore alone, more than 90,000 new cancer cases were reported from 2019 to 2023¹, compared to over 87,000 between 2018 to 2022². With advances in early detection methods and innovative cancer treatments leading to improved survival rates, there is a greater focus and need for long-term survivorship and psychological support. This impacts the evolving role of oncology nurses who provide holistic, comprehensive care throughout a patient’s cancer journey. They serve diverse roles, from administering complex cancer treatments including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, to managing symptoms, coordinating care, conducting research, and providing much-needed emotional and psychosocial support to patients and their families.

“In multidisciplinary teams, oncology nurses are central to the delivery of personalised, patient-centred care. In the rapidly evolving field of oncology, it is crucial that nurses pursue continuous training to maintain clinical competency and manage complex cancer treatment protocols. The regional oncology nursing conference reflects these goals and has a special focus on Integrative Oncology and topics that affect the future of oncology care. We hope that nurses also take the opportunity to network and explore partnership opportunities to advance cancer nursing and ultimately improve care for patients,” said Ms Julia Eng Chui Lee, Director, Nursing, NCCS.

RONC Programme Highlights

The 3-day RONC programme features rich clinical content and panel discussions, including:

• Pre-conference workshops on Integrative Oncology care and essential procedural competencies in oncology nursing 
• International and regional oncology experts speaking on Integrative Oncology care and innovation in oncology, including emerging treatment modalities, genomics and personalised medicine 
• Research and practice presentations on cancer care models, survivorship, supportive care, and nursing-led initiatives 
• Poster and oral abstract sessions showcasing education, clinical care, and technology advances

¹ Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2023 Annual Report
² Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022 Annual Report

For media queries, please contact:

Ms Cheryl Sng
Corporate Communications
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Email: cheryl.sng.x.p@nccs.com.sg

About the National Cancer Centre Singapore

The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) is a leading national and regional tertiary cancer centre dedicated to advancing cancer care, research and education. With a comprehensive suite of specialties and services, NCCS treats all cancers and offers personalised and multidisciplinary care to ensure that patients receive holistic, compassionate care and support. Advanced and innovative treatments such as proton therapy at the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre, immunotherapy, and cell therapy are available at NCCS to give patients the best treatment outcomes.

Ranked among the top cancer centres in Asia, NCCS is globally recognised for its research expertise, with clinicians and scientists collaborating with local and international partners to conduct cutting-edge clinical and translational research that makes a real impact and offers hope of a cancer-free tomorrow. As an academic healthcare institution, NCCS is committed to nurturing future generations by delivering specialised training to local and overseas oncology healthcare professionals.

For more information, please visit www.nccs.com.sg.