By the Numbers: NBCC’s 2026 Advocate Leadership Summit and Lobby Day
May 8, 2026
Last week, a record number of breast cancer advocates from across the United States and around the world came together in DC to learn about the latest breakthroughs in breast cancer science and gain hands-on training in strategies to influence research, health care, and public policy.
The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Advocate Leadership Summit is more than a conference—it is a movement. Each year, advocates affected by breast cancer gather to strengthen their voices, expand their knowledge, and take collective action to end the disease.
At the 2026 Summit:
- 171 advocates were in attendance, representing 36 US states and territories and 3 countries.
- 51 speakers shared their experience and expertise in 9 workshops and 9 plenaries and discussions, with topics ranging from artificial intelligence in cancer research to leveraging the midterm elections to promote breast cancer priorities. (View the full program [PDF].)
- Attendees had 2 opportunities to hear and learn from renowned breast cancer researcher Dr. Dennis Slamon, whose work led to the development of trastuzumab (Herceptin), a groundbreaking treatment for HER-2+ disease.
- NBCC President Fran Visco hosted an armchair discussion with Dr. Rick Pazdur, founding director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncology Center of Excellence, examining current challenges at the FDA and what they could mean for cancer research and patients.
Following the Summit, advocates brought their new and refreshed skills to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to take action on key breast cancer priorities.
On NBCC’s Lobby Day:
- Advocates from 32 states and territories met with more than 175 congressional offices to demand action on NBCC’s public policy and legislative priorities.
- Hundreds of additional offices received hand-delivered information packets from NBCC staff.
- NBCC advocates met in person with at least 20 members of Congress.
- 7 new legislators signaled their support for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, which has driven transformative discoveries in breast cancer research.
- 11 new bipartisan cosponsors—with more to follow— signed on to the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, legislation to waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare and the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for eligible individuals with metastatic breast cancer.
Opportunities to learn from, advocate for, and engage with NBCC don’t end with the Summit. Explore NBCC’s education and training programs, contact your representatives to demand action on NBCC’s priorities, and subscribe to NBCC’s newsletter. And save the dates for next year’s Summit: April 17-20, 2027.
Together, our movement is stronger, and our voices are more powerful.
