100 Influential Women in Oncology in 2026, Including Evis Sala

Since August 26, 2023, Women’s Equality Day in the United States has marked the beginning of a special tradition: the publication of OncoDaily – 100 Influential Women in Oncology. On that day, the OncoDaily platform, dedicated to oncology, launched an initiative to recognize 100 inspiring women making a difference in oncology around the world, highlighting 10 outstanding women each week.

And this year, OncoDaily published its 2026 list of the 100 Influential Women in Oncology, showcasing the extraordinary efforts made by these inspiring women around the world to improve cancer care.

Among the first 10 women on the 2026 list of the 100 Influential Women in Oncology is the current Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Albania, Evis Sala.

According to the OncoDaily platform, in this role, Evis Sala has placed oncology at the center of national healthcare reform, advancing the creation of a National Oncology Institute and Cancer Network, introducing new standardized protocols for cancer treatment, expanding regional chemotherapy and radiotherapy capacity, increasing funding for cancer medicines, and strengthening cervical cancer screening and HPV prevention.

She is also a Professor of Radiology at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome and previously headed the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS.

The other names published are among the best known in the field, including Karen Knudsen, Fatima Maada, Elizabeth Mittendorf, Yelena Janjigianm, Lacy Hubbard, Cesaltina Ferreira Lorenzoni, Clarissa Mathias, Hedvig Hricak, and Beatrice Wiafe Addai.