The following article by Quinn Purcell, was published on June 22, 2026 at bdcnetwork.com.
(The below article has been abbreviated from the original. Please see the full article here.)
The next generation of cancer centers are becoming decentralized, flexible, and increasingly focused on patient wellness.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 2.1 million new cancer cases are projected in 2026. That’s 5,800 per day.
A scary figure, but one that is accelerating innovation in how cancer care is delivered, designed, and experienced. The outlook for cancer centers is twofold: There will be both a growth and a shift in the market.
Driven by improved patient outcomes, increased patient volumes, rapid population growth, technology and research advancements, and expanding community-based care models, cancer centers are both expanding and consolidating.
As demand grows for comprehensive, one-stop care, investment is increasingly focused on targeted renovations and expansions rather than large-scale greenfield developments. There is also a drive towards expanding partnerships between research/academic cancer centers and community-based, rural providers.
Many firms also cite a shift in how cancer centers are being designed and operated. From an evolving patient demographic to a shift towards outpatient settings, cancer care is becoming less invasive, highly flexible, and increasingly decentralized.
The fact that more patients are living with cancer longer—managing it as a chronic condition—means that facilities that were designed with short treatment durations are outdated.
“That shift has real design implications,” says Mark Patterson, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, Architect, SMRT Architects & Engineers; and Derek Veilleux, AIA, EDAC, NCARB, Senior Principal, Director of Health & Wellness Practice, SMRT Architects & Engineers. “Facilities that were sized and programmed for shorter treatment durations are feeling pressure to expand, and clients are increasingly asking how a space can support patients over years of care, not just weeks.”
Firms across the board agree: Cancer center development growth is increasingly defined by outpatient expansion, targeted renovations, decentralized care networks, and deeper integration of research, technology, and community-based partnerships.
Top 10 Trends in Cancer Center Design and Construction
1. Growth in outpatient facilities
2. Flexibility and future-proofing are fundamental
3. Technological advancements through AI, wayfinding, and imaging technologies
4. Whole-person care/designing human-centered spaces
5. Biophilic design expands even further
6. Renewed focus on the staff experience
7. Embedding research in the care environment
8. The ‘one-stop shop’ model continues to gain traction
9. Healthcare projects embrace alternative funding sources
10. Cancer centers adapt to a multigenerational patient base
