ICSN 2027 abstract submission guidelines

Screening is moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach towards risk-stratified and personalised models of care. We welcome abstracts that explore how data science, genomics, AI and predictive modelling are helping programmes tailor screening pathways, while addressing considerations such as overdiagnosis, ethics, and equity.

• 1.0        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 1.1        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – breast cancer
• 1.2        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – bowel cancer
• 1.3        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – cervical cancer
• 1.4        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – lung cancer
• 1.5        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – prostate cancer
• 1.6        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – gastric cancer
• 1.7        From population-based to personalised approaches in screening – multi cancer early detection tests

Technology is becoming central to how screening programmes operate. Submissions may explore how AI, digital platforms, integrated data systems, non-invasive diagnostics and at-home testing are reshaping how screening is delivered, governed and experienced. They may show how AI is creating new opportunities to improve accessibility, and presenting challenges relating to trust, readiness and implementation.

• 2.0       Technology as core infrastructure (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 2.1       Technology as core infrastructure – breast cancer
• 2.2       Technology as core infrastructure – bowel cancer
• 2.3       Technology as core infrastructure – cervical cancer
• 2.4       Technology as core infrastructure – lung cancer
• 2.5       Technology as core infrastructure – prostate cancer
• 2.6       Technology as core infrastructure – gastric cancer
• 2.7       Technology as core infrastructure – multi cancer early detection tests

This theme focuses on how screening programmes can respond to changing population and health system needs. We welcome abstracts that explore:

• emerging or evolving screening programmes
• integration of prevention and early detection
• expansion beyond the traditional “big three” cancers
• sustainability
• workforce redesign
• long-term population health impact.

• 3.0       From improvement to transformation (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 3.1       From improvement to transformation – breast cancer
• 3.2       From improvement to transformation – bowel cancer
• 3.3       From improvement to transformation – cervical cancer
• 3.4       From improvement to transformation – lung cancers
• 3.5       From improvement to transformation – prostate cancer
• 3.6       From improvement to transformation – gastric cancer
• 3.7       From improvement to transformation – multi cancer early detection tests

Together we have made major advances in screening; however, inequalities in access, participation and outcomes persist. We welcome abstracts that explore approaches to improving equitable access, addressing social and structural barriers, engaging underserved communities and designing inclusive, culturally responsive and person-centred services.

• 4.0       Equity, access and inclusion (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 4.1       Equity, access and inclusion – breast cancer
• 4.2       Equity, access and inclusion – bowel cancer
• 4.3       Equity, access and inclusion – cervical cancer
• 4.4       Equity, access and inclusion – lung cancer
• 4.5       Equity, access and inclusion – prostate cancer
• 4.6       Equity, access and inclusion – gastric cancer
• 4.7       Equity, access and inclusion – multi cancer early detection tests

As screening becomes more complex and personalised, clear communication and public trust become increasingly important. We welcome abstracts that explore:

• new ways of communicating with participants
• behavioural science approaches to increase participation
• user-centred communication design
• informed decision-making
• communicating benefits and harms
• health literacy
• tackling misinformation
• building trust in screening programmes and technologies.

• 5.0       Communication, trust and informed choice (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 5.1       Communication, trust and informed choice – breast cancer
• 5.2       Communication, trust and informed choice – bowel cancer
• 5.3       Communication, trust and informed choice – cervical cancer
• 5.4       Communication, trust and informed choice – lung cancer
• 5.5       Communication, trust and informed choice – prostate cancer
• 5.6       Communication, trust and informed choice – gastric cancer
• 5.7       Communication, trust and informed choice – multi cancer early detection tests

Screening programmes are evolving differently across countries and health systems. This theme invites abstracts exploring international collaboration, comparative learning, innovation in low- and middle-income countries, and global efforts to strengthen organised population-based screening and advance cancer elimination strategies.

• 6.0       Global and health system perspectives (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 6.1       Global and health system perspectives – breast cancer
• 6.2       Global and health system perspectives – bowel cancer
• 6.3       Global and health system perspectives – cervical cancer
• 6.4       Global and health system perspectives – lung cancer
• 6.5       Global and health system perspectives – prostate cancer
• 6.6       Global and health system perspectives – gastric cancer
• 6.7       Global and health system perspectives – multi cancer early detection tests

People who use screening programmes have an important role in shaping them. We welcome abstracts that explore patient and public partnership, co-design, shared decision-making, lived experience, public involvement in governance, and meaningful participation in programme design, delivery and evaluation. Submissions may also demonstrate how partnership approaches have strengthened services, improved outcomes and increased trust.

• 7.0       Partnership, participation and co-design (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 7.1       Partnership, participation and co-design – breast cancer
• 7.2       Partnership, participation and co-design – bowel cancer
• 7.3       Partnership, participation and co-design – cervical cancer
• 7.4       Partnership, participation and co-design – lung cancer
• 7.5       Partnership, participation and co-design – prostate cancer
• 7.6       Partnership, participation and co-design – gastric cancer
• 7.7       Partnership, participation and co-design – multi cancer early detection tests

Modern screening programmes increasingly rely on continuous learning and integrated evidence. Abstracts under this theme should examine implementation science, real-world evidence, shared data infrastructure, quality improvement, programme evaluation and learning health systems designed to adapt and improve over time.

• 8.0       Learning and data-driven health systems (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 8.1       Learning and data-driven health systems – breast cancer
• 8.2       Learning and data-driven health systems – bowel cancer
• 8.3       Learning and data-driven health systems – cervical cancer
• 8.4       Learning and data-driven health systems – lung cancer
• 8.5       Learning and data-driven health systems – prostate cancer
• 8.6       Learning and data-driven health systems – gastric cancer
• 8.7       Learning and data-driven health systems – multi cancer early detection tests

Monitoring and evaluation are essential to effective screening programmes. Abstracts submitted under this theme should explore epidemiological or other methodological approaches used to assess effectiveness and efficiency, including:

• benefits and harms of screening
• modelling studies
• cost-effectiveness analyses
• methods to strengthen programme evaluation.

• 9.0       Monitoring and evaluation (other cancer type/more than one cancer type)
• 9.1       Monitoring and evaluation – breast cancer
• 9.2       Monitoring and evaluation – bowel cancer
• 9.3       Monitoring and evaluation – cervical cancer
• 9.4       Monitoring and evaluation – lung cancer
• 9.5       Monitoring and evaluation – prostate cancer
• 9.6       Monitoring and evaluation – gastric cancer
• 9.7       Monitoring and evaluation – multi cancer early detection tests

To submit an abstract, you must first create an account in the submission portal.

Please keep a record of your login details. You will need them to access both the abstract submission system and conference registration system.

After you submit your abstract successfully, we will send a confirmation email with your abstract paper number.

If you do not receive a confirmation email:

1. log back into the portal
2. check the view/edit abstracts section
3. confirm that you submitted your abstract and did not save it as a draft.

Abstracts left in draft status will not be reviewed.

You can save your submission as a draft and return to it later. You may edit your submission at any time before the submission deadline.

Once the submission deadline has passed, you will no longer be able to edit your abstract.

If you need to withdraw your abstract, email: ICSN2027@conferencepartners.com.

The submission portal will ask you for the following information:

• abstract title
  • maximum 50 words
  • use sentence case
  • do not include a full stop at the end
• presentation type
  • oral or poster presentation
  • poster presentation
• conference theme
  • choose one theme from the conference theme list
• presenting author
  • provide:
    • name
    • affiliation
    • job title
• co-authors (maximum 20 authors)
  • provide:
    • name
    • affiliation
    • job title
• abstract file
  • maximum 350 words
  • use the official ICSN 2027 abstract template
  • upload as a Microsoft Word file only
    • single-line spacing
    • please avoid highlighting or other special formatting, headers, footers, footnotes or comments
    • The word count:
      • includes:
        • main abstract text
      • excludes:
        • title
        • author names
        • affiliations
        • one PNG figure or table
        • a figure title of up to 10 words
• additional information
  • you will also be asked to provide:
    • data consent agreement
    • alternative contact details
    • publication agreement.