Securing a Lasting Impact from Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission

There is no question. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission have delivered tangible benefits to millions of Europeans, from advancing cancer prevention legislation, expanding screening programmes, and supporting treatment innovation, to creating novel training programmes for oncology professionals.

 

This progress must not be taken for granted. It must be accelerated.

 

The next long-term EU budget for 2028-2034 is being negotiated in a competitive political climate. Yet there is no better opportunity to ensure that the progress achieved by European institutions and the cancer community continues into the next decade.

 

The Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, invited the leading minds of the cancer community to define expectations and commitments for the next phase of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission.

 

This high-level event took place at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Wednesday, 29 April, between 09:00 and 18:30 EEST. 

29 April 2026 9:00 - 18:30 EEST

Hilton Nicosia
Achaion 1, Egkomi 2413, Cyprus

A week for European cancer cooperation in Cyprus 

This event took place alongside three other major European cancer events:

cyprus event

Despite progress, cancer already places an immense burden on Europe. Each year, 2.7 million people are diagnosed with the disease, and 1.3 million die from it. Additionally, OECD figures reveal cancer is responsible for an estimated €49 billion in productivity losses in the EU every year, with annual healthcare spending on cancer care and cancer control reaching €93 billion in the 27 countries combined.

Stronger, coordinated action at the European level is essential in preventing premature deaths and financial burdens.

In July 2025, leading Cypriot and European policymakers, health leaders, researchers, and patient advocates joined forces to support the Larnaka Call, a push to strengthen European cooperation in cancer control. The call has been echoed by the current Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is encouraging stakeholders to outline their vision for the future of anti-cancer efforts in Europe and beyond.

Speakers

  • Stella Kyriakides Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP Member, Committee on Public Health
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Prof Andreas Charalambous Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Dr Eleni Tolma Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
show all speakers (28)

Speakers

  • Stella Kyriakides Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP Member, Committee on Public Health
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Prof Andreas Charalambous Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Dr Eleni Tolma Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
show all speakers (28)
  • Stella Kyriakides Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board Read Bio
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP Member, Committee on Public Health
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Prof Andreas Charalambous Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) Read Bio
  • Dr Eleni Tolma Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
  • Christos Tsagkaris Member, EU Cancer Mission Board Read Bio
  • Elena Gabriel Senior Nurse Officer, Cypriot Ministry of Health
  • Maria Pittaka Project Representative, INTERVENE & Director, Oncology Department, Nicosia General Hospital Read Bio
  • Chara Demetriou President, Cyprus Psychologists Association & Assistant Professor, American University of Beirut, Mediterranean Read Bio
  • Pantelis Kountourakis Director of the Oncology Department, Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus
  • Nikolas Philippou Chief Executive Officer, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF)
  • Antonis Tryphonos Executive Director/Patient Support Services Director, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF) Read Bio
  • Virpi Sulosaari PhD Executive Lecturer and Research Group Leader, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland Read Bio
  • Angelos Kassianos Assistant Professor, Cyprus University of Technology & Director, Behavioural Science in Health (BSiH) Lab & Member, Cyprus Psychologist Association Board Read Bio
  • Prof William Gallagher Full Professor of Cancer Biology, University College Dublin & Co-Lead, All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) Read Bio
  • Dr Maria Loizou Postdoctoral Researcher, Behavioural Science in Health (BSiH) Lab, Cyprus University of Technology
  • Dr Anneza Yiallourou Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Cyprus Medical School & Academic Lead, Breast Unit, Nicosia General Hospital Read Bio
  • Dr Theologia Tsitsi Lecturer in Surgical Nursing, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) Read Bio
  • Tina Rossidou Psychologist & National Manager of Psychosocial Services, Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society Read Bio
  • Dr Ilias Gountas Value and Patient Access Manager, MSD Greece & Postdoctoral Researcher, Medical School, University of Cyprus Read Bio
  • Dr Antonis Billis Postdoctoral Researcher, Laboratory of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki Read Bio
  • Ilaria Durosini Project Representative, ALTHEA
  • Georgia Orphanou Director, Prevention & Social Marketing Division, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends, (PASYKAF)
  • Stefanie Christodoulidou Head of Psychosocial Services and Chartered Psychologist, ‘Support’ Program, Europa Donna Cyprus
  • Bianca-Elena Mihăilă Researcher and University Lecturer, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest Read Bio
  • Norbert Couespel Policy Research & EU Projects Manager, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
  • Marion L'hôte Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)

Speakers

  • Stella Kyriakides Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP Member, Committee on Public Health
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Prof Andreas Charalambous Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Dr Eleni Tolma Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
show all speakers (28)

Programme

Morning Session: Reach Higher for Cancer Care (European Cancer Organisation)
09:00-09:05
Introductions and welcome
 
  • Andreas Charalambous, Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)

Session moderated by Norbert Couespel, Policy Research & EU Projects Manager, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and Marion L’hôte, Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
09:05-09:25
Keynote addresses
 
  • Stella Kyriakides, Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board 
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez, Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
09:25-10:00
Setting the scene: Political Context & Recent Initiatives
 
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP, Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP, Member, Committee on Public Health 
  • Marion L'hôte, Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
10:00-10:30 
Coffee Break
 

 
10:30-11:15
The Reach Higher for Cancer Campaign: key demands and progress
 
  • Marion L'hôte, Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)

Scheduled interventions from selected attendees amongst leading cancer stakeholder representatives:

  • George Kapetanakis, President, Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK)
  • William Gallagher, Full Professor of Cancer Biology, University College Dublin & Co-Lead, All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) & Scientific Director, St. Vincent’s-UCD Cancer Centre
  • Sona Ciernikova, Associate Professor, Senior Cancer Researcher, Research and Education Project Coordinator, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, National Oncology Institute
  • Nikolai Gonsharenko, Director, Luxembourg National Institute of Cancer (INC)
  • Carla van Laer, Programme Manager, Dutch Cancer Collective (NKC)
11:15-12:00
The European Cancer Institute concept 
 
  •  Norbert Couespel, Policy Research & EU Projects Manager, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)

Scheduled interventions from selected attendees amongst leading cancer projects representatives:

  • Solène Trévidic, Project coordinating team, EUnetCCC
  • Hugo Soares, Project co-coordinator, ECHoS
  • Kadi-Liis Veinman, Project coordinator, UNCAN-Connect
12:00-12:05
Consolidation of discussions, summary and conclusions 
 
  • Andreas Charalambous, Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
12:05-13:30
Lunch
 

 
Afternoon Sessions: Empowered Voices, Stronger Impact: Driving Europe’s Cancer Plan Forward (Cyprus University of Technology)
 

 
13:30-14:30
Health Literacy and Digital Health Literacy: Overlooked Drivers of Health Transformation
 
  • Andreas Charalambous, Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Silvia Hrubanova, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Health & Food Safety (DG SANTE), European Commission 
  • Theologia Tsitsi, Project Representative, TRANSiTION & Lecturer in Surgical Nursing, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Bianca-Elena Mihăilă, Project Representative, CareWay ERASMUS+ & Researcher and University Lecturer, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest
  • Maria Pittaka, Project Representative, INTERVENE & Director, Oncology Department, Nicosia General Hospital 
  • Prof Gabriel Hâncean, Project Representative, CURTAIN  
  • Anneza Yiallourou, Project Representative, EUCanScreen & Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Cyprus Medical School & Academic Lead, Breast Unit, Nicosia General Hospital
  • Antonis Billis, Project Representative, eCAN+ & Postdoctoral Researcher, Laboratory of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki
  • Dr Christos Tsagkaris, Member, EU Cancer Mission Board

Session moderated by Andreas Charalambous, Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and Dr Eleni Tolma, Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
14:30-15:30
Cancer Across Genders: prevention, perspectives, and policy 
 
  • Elena Gabriel, Senior Nurse Officer, Cypriot Ministry of Health
  • Argyris Argyriou, Paediatrician, Ygia Polyclinic
  • Dr Ilias Gountas, Value and Patient Access Manager, MSD Greece & Postdoctoral Researcher, Medical School, University of Cyprus
  • Marion L'hôte, Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) 
  • Stefanie Christodoulidou, Head of Psychosocial Services and Chartered Psychologist, ‘Support’ Program, Europa Donna Cyprus
  • Georgia Orphanou, Director, Prevention & Social Marketing Division, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends, (PASYKAF)

Session moderated by Argyris Argyriou, Paediatrician, Ygia Polyclinic
15:30-16:30
Patient Perspectives: How the Plan Impacts Them
 
  • Nikolas Philippou, Chief Executive Officer, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF)
  • Christina Demetriou, Substitute Board Member, Europa Donna Cyprus
  • Maria Krini, President, EUPATI Cyprus
  • Antonis Tryphonos, Executive Director/Patient Support Services Director, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF)  
  • Tina Rossidou, Psychologist & National Manager of Psychosocial Services, Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society
  • Pantelis Kountourakis, Director of the Oncology Department, Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus 

Session moderated by Nikolas Philippou, Chief Executive Officer, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF)
16:30-17:30
Mental Health in Cancer Care: Challenges and Opportunities 
 
  • Angelos Kassianos, Assistant Professor, Cyprus University of Technology & Director, Behavioural Science in Health (BSiH) Lab & Member, Cyprus Psychologist Association Board
  • Ilaria Durosini, Project Representative, ALTHEA
  • Dr Maria Loizou, Project Representative, DESIPOC & Postdoctoral Researcher, Behavioural Science in Health (BSiH) Lab, Cyprus University of Technology
  • Virpi Sulosaari, Project Representative, MELODIC & Executive Lecturer and Research Group Leader, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland
  • Prof William Gallagher, Full Professor of Cancer Biology, University College Dublin & Co-Lead, All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) & Scientific Director, St. Vincent’s-UCD Cancer Centre
  • Chara Demetriou, President, Cyprus Psychologists Association & Assistant Professor, American University of Beirut, Mediterranean
  • Marion L’hôte, Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) 

Session moderated by Angelos Kassianos, Assistant Professor, Cyprus University of Technology & Director, Behavioural Science in Health (BSiH) Lab & Member, Cyprus Psychologist Association Board
13:30-17:30 
eCAN+ and iNTERVENE Parallel Workshop: Digital health training requirements on cancer prevention 
17:30-18:30
Networking & Light Dinner 

 

Speakers

  • Stella Kyriakides Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP Member, Committee on Public Health
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Prof Andreas Charalambous Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Dr Eleni Tolma Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
show all speakers (28)

Speakers

  • Stella Kyriakides Former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety & Co-Chair of the ESO Advisory Board
  • Michalis Hadjipantela MEP Member, Committee on Public Health
  • Giorgos Georgiou MEP Substitute, Committee on Public Health
  • Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez Director, Directorate D - People: Health & Society, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
  • Prof Andreas Charalambous Past-President, European Cancer Organisation & Professor and Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Dr Eleni Tolma Member, EU Cancer Mission Board
show all speakers (28)