On 30 March, Uppsala Comprehensive Cancer Centre (UCCC), in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Sjöberg Foundation, will welcome cancer researcher Charles Swanton to Akademiska sjukhuset for this year’s Sjöberg Prize Lecture. Swanton is the recipient of the Sjöberg Prize 2026 and is recognized for his research on how tumours evolve over time.

Groundbreaking research on tumour evolution

Charles Swanton receives the Sjöberg Prize 2026 for his pioneering discoveries on the clonal evolution of cancer cells – how tumours change and develop over time. His research has contributed to a deeper understanding of how cancer can develop resistance to treatment.

This knowledge is central to the development of more precise diagnostics and future cancer therapies.

Research and clinical practice meet during the lecture day

During the day, researchers, clinicians and collaborators at Akademiska Hospital will gather to attend this year’s Sjöberg Prize Lecture and discuss how new insights from cancer research can be translated into improved diagnostics and treatment for patients.

Before the main lecture, two researchers from Uppsala will also present their work:

• Panagiotis Baliakas, senior consultant at the Department of Clinical Genetics at Akademiska Hospital and associate professor at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University.
• Tobias Sjöblom, professor of Experimental Cancer Research at Uppsala University.

The lecture is open to anyone interested in cancer research and the future of cancer treatment.

Time and venue

30 March 2026 at H:son Holmdahl Hall, Building 100, Akademiska Hospital

The lecture is organised by the Sjöberg Foundation and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Programme and film

Programme for the day (kva.se)

Watch the film about this year’s laureate (kva.se)

Facts: The Sjöberg Prize

The Sjöberg Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and is an international research prize in the field of cancer. 
The prize was established through a donation from businessman Bengt Sjöberg and is awarded annually to researchers who have made important breakthroughs in cancer research. 
Part of the prize money is allocated to further research, while another part supports young researchers in the field of cancer.

On 17 January, the Swedish Government published an updated national cancer strategy for Swedish cancer care for the coming 10–15 years. The strategy aims to reduce the risk of cancer, increase survival, and provide better support for patients and their families.
The national network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (CCC) welcomes the updated national cancer strategy. The strategy creates important conditions for continued long-term and coordinated efforts to reduce the cancer burden, improve survival, and strengthen the quality of life for patients and their loved ones.

The CCC network is particularly pleased with the strategy’s strong emphasis on research, innovation, and collaboration, as well as the fact that children and young people are now fully included.

–“The original cancer strategy from 2009 led to major improvements in cancer care – and we now look forward to working with the 2026 strategy to address today’s challenges as well. As a Comprehensive Cancer Centre, we welcome the responsibility and opportunities to further develop cancer care, particularly in terms of the interaction between research, new knowledge, and clinical care,” says Ingrid Glimelius, Senior Consultant at Akademiska sjukhuset and Director of the Uppsala Comprehensive Cancer Centre (UCCC).

The national Comprehensive Cancer Centres form a central part of the knowledge and development infrastructure of Swedish cancer care and see significant opportunities to contribute to the implementation of the strategy’s ambitions.

The national CCC network consists of Sweden’s university hospitals together with their respective universities, all of which are either accredited or in the process of being accredited as Comprehensive Cancer Centres.

At Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University, researchers and clinicians work hand in hand to develop treatments that give patients like Göran Eriksson a second chance.

Göran’s Journey – From Cancer Setbacks to Hope Through Research

At Uppsala Comprehensive Cancer Centre (UCCC), cancer care is not just about treatments and protocols – it’s about people. That’s why UCCC is working closely with patients and their families to shape a more compassionate and responsive healthcare system.
Central to this effort is the Patient and Family Advisory Council, led by Kim Höglund. The council brings together individuals from different diagnostic areas, all with personal experience of cancer. Their insights help ensure that care is not only medically sound, but also emotionally supportive and tailored to real-life needs.

“When you’re told you have cancer, everything else fades away. It’s hard to take in what the doctor says. Later, when the shock wears off, questions and emotions come flooding in. That’s when the contact nurse becomes a lifeline – someone who offers stability, guidance and support throughout the journey. You don’t have to face this alone,” says Kim Höglund, Chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council.

The council’s mission is clear: to make sure the patient voice is heard in every decision that affects care. From diagnosis to recovery, their lived experiences help shape improvements that matter.

“Everyone on the council is here because they want to make things better for others. Behind every patient is a person – not just a diagnosis or a number,” Kim adds.

Beyond treatment, the council also highlights the need for ongoing support – especially for families and children. Access to psychological care varies across Sweden, and the council is working to ensure no one is left behind once treatment ends.

This collaborative approach is at the heart of UCCC’s vision. By listening to patients and involving them in development work, cancer care becomes more accurate, empathetic and future-focused.

“Patient involvement isn’t just good for healthcare – it’s good for society. It leads to a more sustainable and human-centred cancer care system,” says Ingrid Glimelius, Senior Consultant and Director of UCCC.