Prostate Cancer Patient Summit 2026

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A Powerful Gathering: Reflections on the 2026 UC San Diego Prostate Cancer Patient Summit

The UC San Diego Prostate Cancer Patient Summit once again proved why it stands as the premier regional gathering for those touched by prostate cancer. On January 30-31, 2026, over 200 patients, caregivers, advocates and healthcare professionals came together for two days of learning, connection and collective action.

Day One: A Community-Driven Beginning

The Summit opened on January 30th with an innovative Community Think Tank, where patients and caregivers led roundtable discussions about what truly matters: gaps in care, unanswered questions and the future of prostate cancer treatment and support. The day was expertly guided by Rana McKay, MD (Professor of Medicine, Urology, and Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences), Christina Jamieson, MD (Associate Professor in Residence, Urology), and Chris Kane, MD (Urologist, CEO of UC San Diego Health Physician Group, and Senior Assistant Vice Chancellor of Clinical Affairs).

The day continued with a panel on "Big Questions in the Field," where leading clinicians engaged directly with community concerns, creating dynamic dialogue that honored patients' lived experiences while sharing the latest advances in care.

The day concluded with a large group discussion and action plan—transforming insights into concrete steps forward.

Day Two: Inspiration and Innovation

January 31st opened with remarks from Aditya Bagrodia, MD (Urologic Oncologist, Professor of Urology, and Disease Team Co-Leader for Genitourinary Cancer), Rana McKay, MD (Professor of Medicine, Urology, and Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences) and Brent Rose, MD (Radiation Oncologist and Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences), followed by inspiring words from UC San Diego Health's leadership: John Carethers, MD (Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences) and Diane Simeone, MD (Director of Moores Cancer Center).

The day was filled with seminars from national leaders in prostate cancer care, from Moores Cancer Center and beyond. Session 1, "Thriving Beyond Diagnosis: Your Wellness Toolkit for Cancer Survivorship," provided attendees with essential strategies for health and wellness throughout their cancer journey.

Paul Wormser, Senior Vice President of Technology at Intertek and a patient of UCSD Health, shared his deeply personal success story about how participation in a clinical trial had a life-changing effect on his treatment that led to remission, offering hope and practical insights to attendees navigating their own journeys.

Session 2, "Evidence-Based Insights: The Science of Supplements and Microbiome Health," explored leading-edge research on how nutrition and the microbiome impact prostate cancer care. Session 3, "Personalized Pathways: Choosing Your Treatment Journey," empowered attendees with comprehensive information about treatment options tailored to individual circumstances.

The Summit's keynote address from David Justice, three-time MLB All-Star, brought star power with purpose, demonstrating the broad reach and importance of patient advocacy.

The afternoon continued with Session 4, "The Next Frontier: Breakthrough Science for Advanced Disease," highlighting the latest innovations in treatment and research for those facing advanced prostate cancer. Session 5, "Living Well: Comprehensive Support for Prostate Cancer Survivors," focused on holistic strategies for thriving after diagnosis.

The Summit concluded with an "Ask Me Anything" session, where attendees could pose their most pressing questions directly to the expert panel, ensuring everyone left with personalized insights and actionable information.

What Makes This Summit Different

Year after year, the Summit receives excellent ratings from evaluation respondents. The carefully curated program ensures national-level expertise while maintaining the intimate, interactive atmosphere that makes meaningful connection possible.

Attendees consistently report gaining not just knowledge, but actionable insights, renewed hope, and lasting networks that sustain them long after the Summit ends.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Johnson & Johnson, Bayer and Pfizer. Your commitment enables us to bring together patients, caregivers, and experts in this unique forum. Thank you for investing in lives.

We look forward to next year's Summit, where we'll continue building on the momentum, insights and connections created this year. Together, we're not just learning about the future of prostate cancer care—we're actively creating it.