As Scotland approaches a pivotal election year, Norway too is entering a new era in cancer control with the launch of its National Cancer Strategy 2025–2035.
In this keynote, Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross, Secretary General of the Norwegian Cancer Society, will share insights from Norway’s approach to tackling cancer through a whole-of-society effort—anchored in equity, early diagnosis, and research-driven innovation.
Norway’s strategy places strong emphasis on reducing inequalities in cancer outcomes, ensuring timely access to diagnostics and treatment, and strengthening the role of patients and civil society in shaping services. With a growing cancer burden and an ageing population, the need for sustainable investment in cancer services is more urgent than ever.
The keynote will also highlight how Norway is fostering a vibrant research ecosystem—through public-private partnerships, patient involvement, and international collaboration. Drawing parallels with Scotland’s ambitions, Ingrid will reflect on how political leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term planning can help deliver better outcomes for all.
As Scotland counts down to the 2026 election, this keynote offers a timely opportunity to explore how shared challenges can be met with shared ambition—and how countries can learn from each other to ensure longer, better lives for people affected by cancer.
Scottish Cancer Conference 2025 Programme
Registration and refreshments
Welcome from Cancer Research UK
Keynote speech: Equity, Innovation and Collaboration - Norway’s Vision for Cancer Control
Break and networking
Breakout sessions – sharing what works
Session 1: Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), NHS Scotland
Clinical review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer: supporting earlier diagnosis through collaboration
Dr Philip Hodkinson (Consultant Physician, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Co-Clinical Lead for Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis, CfSD)
Charlotte Williamson (Strategic Evidence Manager, Cancer Research UK)
Dr Lorna Porteous (GP Lead for Cancer & Palliative Care, NHS Lothian and Co-Clinical Lead of the Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group)
Sarah Wink (Project Manager, Cancer Improvement & Earlier Diagnosis, CfSD)
Session 2: Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow
Putting patients first: transforming cancer outcomes in Scotland through collaboration, engagement and research
Chair:
Prof Owen Sansom (Director, Institute of Cancer Sciences, CRUK Scotland Institute)
Prof Campbell Roxburgh (School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow and CRUK Scotland Centre)
Prof Tom Bird (Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh; CRUK Scotland Institute, Glasgow; and CRUK Scotland Centre)
Prof Stefan Symeonides (Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh; and CRUK Scotland Centre)
Prof Margaret Frame (University of Edinburgh)
Session 3: Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group
Tackling cancer inequalities in Scotland: evidence, experience, and action
Dr Douglas Rigg (Joint Clinical Lead Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group)
Dr Carey Lunan (Senior Medical Advisor to the Scottish Government on Health Inequalities)
Samantha Harrison (Head of Strategic Evidence, Cancer Research UK)
Lunch and networking
Breakout sessions – shaping what happens next
Session 1: Young Lives vs Cancer, CCLG: The Children and Young People’s Cancer Association, and NHS Managed Service Network for Children and Young People’s Cancer
Where next for children and young people’s cancer care? Priorities and actions to address their unique needs
Rachel Kirby-Rider (Chief Executive, Young Lives vs Cancer)
Dr Nick Heaney (National Clinical Director of the Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer)
Ashley Ball-Gamble (Chief Executive at CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association)
Martin McBreen
Session 2: Scottish Cancer Coalition
From LEGO® blocks to breakthroughs: imagining future cancer care in Scotland
Piotr Teodorowski, PhD (Research Fellow in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at the University of Stirling)
Dawn Crosby (Head of Devolved Nations, Pancreatic Cancer UK; Member of the Scottish Cancer Coalition)
Josh Hill (Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Blood Cancer UK; Member of the Scottish Cancer Coalition)
Session 3: Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission
Closing the gap: bringing cancer genomic testing to Scottish patients
Chair:
Dr Sarah Kingdon (Tessa Jowell Fellow in Edinburgh and Glasgow)
Willie Stewart (Consultant Neuropathologist and Professor of Neuropathology, University of Glasgow)
Dr Faye Robertson (Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh)
Duncan Campbel (Patient Representative and Clinician)
Dr Sally Clive (Consultant Medical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre and Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh)
Lisa Wilde PhD (Director of Research, Policy and Influencing, Bowel Cancer UK)
Finlay Carson MSP (Deputy Convener, Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours)
Break and networking
Scottish Government address
This year’s Scottish Government address will be delivered by Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
Patient panel session: What matters most to patients?
In this closing session, people with lived experience of cancer share what matters most to them, what they want to see change and what they want decision-makers to know. They remind us that real progress begins by putting patients first.
Chair:
Dr David Hogg BSc(MedSci) MBChB DCH FRCGP
Deputy Chair:
Iain Macleod QPM (Queen’s Police Medal)
Other panellists:
Jo Williamson
Lisa Adam