Berlin – The future of cancer care in Germany is set to be a central point of contention at the 37th German Cancer Congress (DKK), beginning February 18th in Berlin, as healthcare professionals grapple with the implications of ongoing hospital reforms and increasing financial pressures on the statutory health insurance system.
The German Cancer Congress, the largest and oldest oncology conference in the German-speaking world, will host more than 300 scientific sessions, according to the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe). Discussions will focus on improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and aftercare, as well as new research findings.
The current hospital reform, and its potential inadequacy in addressing the challenges facing cancer care, was highlighted at the congress’s opening press conference. “The current health policy reforms are not sufficient to create cancer care future-proof,” stated Professor Anke Reinacher-Schick, Congress President of the DKK 2026 and Head of the Department of Hematology and Oncology at St. Josef Hospital Bochum. She emphasized the need for improved network structures, increased prevention efforts, and the cultivation of new talent within the field.
A key concern is the projected increase in cancer incidence. Estimates from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) suggest a rise of 18 percent in cancer cases across the European Union by 2040, compared to 2022. This anticipated surge in demand will occur alongside increasing specialization of therapies, requiring a highly skilled workforce.
The DKK will similarly address the importance of personalized medicine and targeted therapies. Research presented by the German Breast Group (GBG) demonstrates the potential of molecular testing in breast cancer, with 63.8% of analyzed samples exhibiting pathogenic variants, and 50% revealing actionable alterations. GBG’s research suggests that molecular testing should be conducted before the initiation of first-line therapy to facilitate the targeted use of treatments like PI3K or PARP inhibitors.
Further research from GBG focuses on a phase II study evaluating the combination of elacestrant and olaparib for HR+/HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with germline BRCA1/2 mutations. Analysis of the Breast Cancer and Brain Metastases (BMBC) registry indicates a significant association between HER2 IHC status in brain metastases and overall survival, potentially serving as a prognostic biomarker.
The German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft) and the German Cancer Aid are jointly hosting the event for the seventh time, bringing together experts and specialists in oncological patient care. The congress is calling for abstracts in 43 categories, and for the first time, is accepting submissions of case studies under a separate channel, with a submission deadline of August 27, 2025.
Despite the emphasis on innovation and collaboration, the long-term impact of the hospital reform on the practical implementation of these advancements remains unclear. The Deutsche Krebshilfe has not yet issued a statement regarding specific legislative proposals or potential funding adjustments following the congress.
