Meeting Overview
Obesity is one of the most important modifiable drivers of cancer risk in the United States. It’s a complex chronic health condition that affects about 40% of U.S. adults and 20% of U.S. youth. Despite growing knowledge of obesity’s relationship to cancer, approaches to help Americans reach and maintain a healthy weight have failed to address the problem. Recent scientific advancements, including GLP-1 medications, present new opportunities to reduce obesity—and obesity-related cancer risk—at the population level.
The President’s Cancer Panel held a public meeting on obesity, cancer risk, and GLP-1 medications on October 15, 2026. The Panel convened experts to discuss biological mechanisms linking obesity to cancer and explore the possibility of harnessing GLP-1 medications for cancer prevention.
Event Details
Date and Time: October 15, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Online
Agenda
| Time (EDT) | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:00–9:15 a.m. | Opening Remarks & Introductions |
| 9:15–10:15 a.m. | Session 1: Obesity and Cancer: The Role of GLP-1 Medications Obesity, Metabolism, and Cancer: Biological Mechanisms and the Promise of Metabolic Therapies Real World Evidence on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Insights into Cancer Outcomes The Potential of GLP-1–Based Therapies for Cancer Prevention |
| 10:15–10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Session 2: Harnessing GLP-1 Medications for Cancer Prevention: Policy and Public Health Implications Delivering Comprehensive GLP-1 Obesity Care in Primary Care Understanding GLP-1 Medication Adoption and Access: Evolving Value, Affordability, and Coverage Informational Overview: Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m. | Discussion |
| 12:50–1:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Adjourn |
Speakers
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Victoria Bae-Jump, MD, PhD | Professor and Associate Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology Director, UNC Lineberger Endometrial Cancer Center of Excellence University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC |
| Aurelia Chaudhury | Technical Advisor, Division of Drug Innovation, CMS Innovation Center Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Woodlawn, MD |
| Serena Jingchuan Guo, MD, PhD | William S. Bucke Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice AI Director, College of Pharmacy Purdue University Investigator, Regenstrief Institute Purdue Faculty Lead, Regenstrief Data Services Indianapolis, IN |
| Neil M. Iyengar, MD | Section Chief, Breast Medical Oncology Director, Cancer Survivorship Services Associate Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University Atlanta, GA |
| Melanie Jay, MD, MS | Professor of Medicine and Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine Director, NYU Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity Research Director, Research Collaboration and Mentorship, Division of General Internal Medicine, NYU Langone Health Director, VETCARE Center of Innovation, VA New York Harbor New York, NY |
| David Kim, PhD | Associate Professor of Medicine University of Chicago Chicago, IL |
| Elizabeth McDonald, MD, PhD, FSBI | Professor of Radiology and Director of Breast MRI, Penn Medicine Associate Vice-Chair for Research University of Pennsylvania Chair, American College of Radiology Breast Research Commission Philadelphia, PA |