In June 2025, Eric Small, a longtime clinical researcher and UCSF oncologist assumed the presidency of the American Society of Oncology (ASCO), the major professional organization for oncologists, with more than 50,000 members. Last month, Small presided at the ASCO annual meeting, where he gave a moving address about improving global cancer.
Just prior to that, IGHS’ Steven Birenbaum spoke to him about his role as ASCO president and the state of cancer care globally. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
IGHS: Tell me a bit about your current role at UCSF.
Eric Small: I’m a professor of medicine in Oncology and co-lead the prostate cancer program within the UCSF Cancer Center, where I serve as deputy director and chief scientific officer. I’m trained as a clinical trialist, and I’m involved in a large multi-investigator grant from the National Cancer Institute, which is focused on translating laboratory findings into patient care. My other major role right now is as President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, also known as ASCO. Either UCSF is my “side gig” or ASCO is my side gig (laughs).
IGHS: What does ASCO do?
Eric Small: The American Society of Clinical Oncology is the major professional organization for oncologists globally, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. ASCO focuses on education and training, research, advocacy and professional development. It has over 51,000 members worldwide, from over 170 countries. I’ve been involved for many years and previously served on the board of directors. That makes you eligible to become president, and this has been my presidential year leading up to our annual meeting in late May in Chicago.
IGHS: That sounds like a huge undertaking.
Eric Small: It is. The annual meeting draws over 40,000 people and essentially takes over Chicago. It’s one of the only cities that can accommodate it. ASCO has an incredible staff, and so much of the operational work is handled by them. But there’s still a major effort around scientific review, abstract selection, and educational programming. The meeting runs for five days. The president’s responsibilities extend beyond the meeting as well…we have a strong presence on Capitol Hill, a large global footprint, and ongoing educational work throughout the year.
IGHS: So, you set a theme for your presidential year.
Eric Small: Exactly. It’s a four-year leadership track: president-elect, president, board chair, and immediate past president. During the presidential year, you define a theme. My theme is “The Science and Practice of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide.” The word “translation” is intentional – it’s a double entendre. On one hand, it refers to the conventional meaning of translational research: translating scientific discoveries from the lab into clinical care and then into population-level impact. On the other, it refers to translating those advances across languages, cultures, geographies, practice settings, and health systems.
IGHS: That’s compelling framing.
Eric Small: Thank you. The theme has a few core components. First, and it’s unfortunate we even have to say this, science matters. From discovery to implementation, science is what drives progress, yet it’s increasingly being questioned. Second, we’re focused on implementation and the disparities that exist globally. Even within the U.S., access varies dramatically. There are low- and middle-income countries, but also low- and middle-income counties. For example, patients in rural Montana or California’s Central Valley may face enormous barriers to accessing care at places like UCSF. There are real parallels between domestic and global challenges.
IGHS: Why does this theme feel so important to you personally?
Eric Small: Well, part of my interest stems from having been born and raised in Mexico. My parents were US expatriates that emigrated to Mexico. I grew up in a bilingual, multicultural environment. The concept of translation became central to me – whether you are translating language, cultural context, or science, it is translation that helps connect knowledge to meaning.
IGHS: Do you think ASCO members will connect with the global aspect of your theme?
Eric Small: About 40% of our members are based outside the U.S. So, while it’s named the American Society of Clinical Oncology, it’s truly global. We’ve also made efforts to expand participation: for example, waiving membership fees for individuals from low- and middle-income countries. We’ve established regional councils in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Indian subcontinent. These groups help shape priorities based on local needs.
IGHS: How do you ensure these efforts aren’t just exporting high-income country models?
Eric Small: That’s a critical question. The key is that initiatives are driven by regional needs, not imposed by ASCO. For example, research programs in Africa focus on population and outcomes research rather than high-end lab work. Projects are led, mentored, and evaluated by local experts, with ASCO providing support. It requires intentionality and humility to avoid a top-down approach. In fact, there is much we can learn domestically from success stories internationally that can be applied to domestic resource-constrained environments, our own rural populations, and our own immigrant populations.
IGHS: Have recent political dynamics influenced your global focus?
Eric Small: If anything, they’ve reinforced its importance. When some suggested it was a difficult time to emphasize global responsibility, my view was the opposite: now is exactly the time to step up.
IGHS: What are some concrete ways this shows up at the annual meeting?
Eric Small: Several. For the first time, our major sessions, including the opening ceremony and plenary, will include live translation into multiple languages. We’re also introducing “ASCO Voices” in native languages. These are short, TED-style talks by members sharing personal cancer experiences. We’ve expanded programming to include topics like cancer care in immigrant populations and conflict zones and have asked our discussants to contextualize the science they are reviewing, as it pertains to resource constrained environments.
IGHS: Are global disparities in cancer outcomes improving?
Eric Small: Unfortunately, the gap is widening. New technologies are expensive and don’t easily trickle down. However, there are bright spots. Vaccination programs, for example, have dramatically reduced certain cancers in some countries. There’s a lot we can learn from each other, and it’s very much a two-way exchange.
IGHS: What are some of the biggest barriers globally?
Eric Small: Capacity is a major one, both for care and research. Some countries have only one radiation machine, or just a handful of oncologists. To address this, ASCO is developing scalable educational resources, including modular, multilingual materials on everything, from building a tissue bank to interpreting clinical research to managing burnout. This is a long-term effort, but it has the potential to reach thousands rather than dozens.
IGHS: How do you make people aware of these resources?
Eric Small: That’s a challenge. We’re leveraging regional networks and in-person engagement, especially at the annual meeting, which is critical for building relationships and momentum.
IGHS: What are some ways that UCSF and IGHS are advancing global cancer care ?
Eric Small: Building on our mission of advancing health worldwide, the UCSF Global Cancer Program, which is part of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, was created to address disparities in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Increasingly, the Global Cancer Program is working more closely with IGHS to advance research, education, and global cancer partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. I’m excited about this partnership.
IGHS: What would you say to donors interested in supporting global oncology?
Eric Small: First, this is a shared global challenge. What happens elsewhere affects us, whether through infectious disease, migration, or shared health disparities. Second, there’s a moral imperative. We’re facing a growing global cancer burden, especially in low-resource settings. This isn’t venture-style investing; it’s about saving lives. Building systems, training people, and expanding access is foundational work. Ultimately, the goal is simple: the best care for every patient, every cancer, everywhere.