About the conference
The International Conference on Cancer Prevention (ICCP) is a scientific conference series organized by the National Cancer Prevention Center. It is a joint contribution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Aid to the German National Decade against Cancer. Since 2018, the ICCP has taken place every two years at the DKFZ in Heidelberg.
The ICCP addresses the full spectrum of cancer prevention – from basic research and public health approaches to practical implementation. It brings together international researchers to discuss current findings, highlight innovations and provide new impulses for the advancement of cancer prevention.
The aim of the conference is to foster scientific exchange and to strengthen the national and international visibility of cancer prevention research.
Next ICCP
The sixth International Conference on Cancer Prevention will take place from 9 to 11 October 2028 at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg.
Further information und registration will be announced here in due time. You are welcome to sign up for the Newsletter if you want to stay tuned.
The conference will focus on current findings across all areas of cancer prevention – from molecular mechanisms and innovative interventions to evaluation and implementation in diverse healthcare settings. In 2026, international experts will once again be invited to present their research and discuss emerging developments.
Subscribe to the ICCP 2026 newsletter!
For more information on the program, abstract submission, and registration, please subscribe to our ICCP newsletter, please end an e-mail to iccp-news-subscribe@dkfz-heidelberg.de.
Conference Archive
Since 2018, the International Conference on Cancer Prevention has established itself as a central platform for cancer prevention research. Each conference sets its own priorities and reflects the issues and ideas of its time. Looking back, we can see how topics, methods, and formats have evolved over the years.
5. ICCP: Internationality und young talents (19.-21. October 2026)
The fifth edition of the conference series covered current developments across the cancer prevention continuum, including major modifiable risk factors, environmental exposures, risk stratified early detection and prevention after cancer. Particular attention is given to inequities in cancer prevention and to the implementation of research findings into practice.
With this fifth ICCP, we further strengthened the international reach of the conference. For the first time, an LMIC Scholarship Program was introduced to facilitate participation by researchers based in eligible low- and middle-income settings and to broaden the perspectives represented at the conference.
Supporting young scientists in cancer prevention remained an important goal. Following its first funding period, the Cancer Prevention Graduate School, funded by the German Cancer Aid and coordinated at the German Cancer Research Center, entered its next phase. The first fellows have completed their doctoral projects and presented their research in short talks and posters during the conference.
4th ICCP: Diversity and Innovation (October 29-30, 2024)
The fourth International Conference on Cancer Prevention highlighted the diversity and innovation shaping today’s cancer prevention research.
Core topics included digital behavior change interventions, molecular mechanisms in early carcinogenesis, emerging strategies in early detection and chemoprevention, and approaches to improving quality of life among cancer survivors.
With high-level keynotes, interactive discussions, and targeted networking formats, ICCP 2024 provided a stimulating environment for scientific exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. Early-career researchers played an active role and contributed visibly to the scientific dialogue of the conference.
3rd ICCP: Hybrid Exchange (October 26-27, 2022)
The third International Conference on Cancer Prevention took place as a hybrid event, allowing participants to join both on-site in Heidelberg and online.
The program covered a wide range of topics including environmental and behavioral risk factors, preventive agents and vaccines, early detection, risk-adapted prevention strategies, and science communication in cancer prevention.
Poster sessions and moderated discussions encouraged exchange across disciplines and experience levels. The event highlighted the broadening scope of cancer prevention and its relevance across research domains.
2. ICCP: Science digitally networked (September 17–18, 2020)
Due to the pandemic, the second ICCP was held fully online and proved that virtual meetings can deliver both scientific depth and international dialogue.
Topics ranged from precision prevention and early detection technologies to cancer vaccines and implementation challenges. The conference emphasized the importance of risk-based prevention strategies and underlined a key message: cancer prevention is no longer just health education, it is an evidence-based, future-oriented research field with global relevance
Program 2nd International Conference on Cancer Prevention 2020: Facing the Challenges of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
PDF (852 KB)
1. ICCP: Kick-off in Heidelberg (February 15–16, 2018)
The very first International Conference on Cancer Prevention marked a milestone: it brought prevention research into focus as a strategic and scientific priority.
Participants discussed key questions across the entire prevention continuum – from early detection biomarkers to risk-based strategies and personalized prevention.
Impressions of past conferences
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