The new ESMO Principles for Humanising Scientific Reporting aim to strengthen the communication of oncology research, connect scientific evidence with patient relevance, and support a more patient-centred approach to cancer research communication.
ESMO is introducing a new set of principles for speakers presenting at ESMO Congress 2026, designed to strengthen the communication of cancer research and help connect scientific findings more clearly with their relevance to patients.
The ESMO Principles for Humanising Scientific Reporting initiative reflects the Society's commitment to ensuring that advances in oncology are communicated with clarity and meaningful patient context without compromising scientific rigour.
The challenge facing oncology today is no longer simply generating or disseminating scientific information. Researchers, clinicians and patients are navigating an ever-growing volume of increasingly complex evidence. In this environment, scientific societies have a responsibility not only to support the dissemination of research findings, but also to promote their responsible interpretation and communication.
The ESMO Principles for Humanising Scientific Reporting seek to strengthen the connection between cancer research findings and their real-world implications. They encourage presenters to explain the unmet need addressed by the research, communicate findings in clear and accessible language, consider quality-of-life outcomes alongside efficacy and safety results, and acknowledge the individuals who make research possible through participation in and consent to clinical studies.
The principles also encourage presenters to explain what research findings may mean for patients, recognise important uncertainties and evidence gaps, and consider broader aspects of patient experience, including treatment burden, daily functioning and access to care, when relevant. These elements are increasingly recognised as important components of patient-centred oncology and informed decision-making.
Importantly, the initiative reflects the belief that good scientific communication should help audiences understand not only what the data show, but also why the findings matter and how they may ultimately affect the lives of people living with cancer, and is not intended to oversimplify science.
The principles support the ambitions outlined in the ESMO Roadmap 2030, which places patient-centred cancer care, scientific guidance and global engagement at the heart of the Society's vision for the future.
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