News and Resources

  • Event

    smartCARE & PROTECT-EUROPE Showcase Event

    22 November 2024, Radisson Collection Hotel, Grand Place Brussels (and Virtual)

    One Showcase Event for Two Stellar Projects

     

    Block your calendar for the day after the European Cancer Summit. The smartCARE & PROTECT-EUROPE Showcase Event will highlight lessons and opportunities from these two flagship EU4Health projects. 

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  • Event

    European Cancer Summit 2024

    20 - 21 November 2024, Radisson Collection Hotel, Grand Place Brussels (and Virtual)

    United Against Cancer: Forging New Frontiers

     

    The European Cancer Summit 2024 will once again unite the cancer community in accelerating efforts against a most relentless disease. Experts, patients and policymakers will explore new innovative solutions to pressing challenges faced by healthcare systems across Europe and propose new opportunities in cancer research.

     

    This year’s European Cancer Summit takes place on 20 & 21 November, in Brussels & online.  

     

    The European Cancer Summit will be followed by an exclusive Showcase Event for the smartCARE and PROTECT-EUROPE projects on 22 November, at the same venue. Find out more. 

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  • reports

    Women and Cancer: More than 12 million reasons for action!

    November 2024

     

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    An estimated 12 million women in Europe are currently living with cancer. Another 1.2 million women are diagnosed with the disease each year – and nearly 600,000 are dying from it annually.  

    Enough is enough! 

    Marking European Gender Equality Week, the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) is today publishing a new landmark report Women and Cancer: More than 12 million reasons for action! 

    Among the paper's highlights: 

    • The three most common cancers in women are breast, colorectal and lung cancers, followed by skin (melanoma), pancreatic, and thyroid cancers, according to the latest data from the European Cancer Information System (ECIS). 
    • Women with cervical cancer are 40% more likely to get divorced than healthy women. When a woman is diagnosed with cancer, it can significantly disrupt relationships, yet the topic of partner involvement in cancer care remains under-addressed. 
    • Women in Europe are more likely to provide care to a family member, friend, or neighbour, even though a women’s gross hourly earnings are on average 12,7% lower than those of men. That means 32 million women caregivers in Europe are more exposed to significant poverty risks, with support and protection varying greatly in each member state.
    • Men continue to dominate management positions even where 70% of the healthcare workforce is female, and women in the sector earn approximately 20% less than men. 

    For too long, healthcare policies in countries throughout Europe have failed to address the specific needs and conditions of women. This has to change.

    The paper identifies 16 core recommendations to combat gender disparities in cancer care, including: 

    • An end to irresponsible gendered marketing by the tobacco and alcohol industries; 
    • Access to breast and gynaecological cancer screening, conducted according to European guidelines, as an undisputed women’s right; 
    • A guarantee that all women of childbearing age diagnosed with cancer are provided with fertility preservation counselling and services.

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    Dr Rubio 150Speaking on the report’s publication Dr Isabel Rubio, Co-chair of the European Cancer Organisation’s Women & Cancer Workstream, and Past-President of the European Society of Surgical Oncology, said: ‘Our report highlights the human impacts when we fail to respond to the gender elements of cancer prevention and treatment. For example, far too many women across Europe are denied access to cancer screening, fertility preservation services and the quality cancer treatment they deserve. Our report kicks off a political campaign by the European Cancer Organisation. We urge everyone moved by its findings to join our movement.’ 

    Prof Erba 150Prof Paola Erba, Co-chair of the European Cancer Organisation’s Women & Cancer Workstream, and President-elect of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, said: ‘Women leaders are changing the face of cancer care and driving breakthroughs in practice and research. But still too many obstacles are experienced, including pregnancy and maternity discrimination. Our report is a fresh platform for achieving change.’

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  • news

    Press Release - An EU-Backed Event to Address Special Needs of Displaced People with Cancer and the Healthcare Workforce in Ukraine

    23 October 2024

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    [Ukraininan version below]

    Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine - On Wednesday, 23 October 2024, the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) will join the Carpathian Institute of Analytics (FrankoLytics) to participate in the event ‘Special Needs of Displaced People with Cancer and the Healthcare Workforce: A Focus on Ukraine’.

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  • news

    Mental well-being in cancer care

    08 October 2024

    On 10 October each year, we pause and reflect on World Mental Health Day.

    The theme of this year’s campaign: ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’. 

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  • news

    Mike Morrissey to leave ECO at end of 2024

    01 October 2024

     

    Our CEO, Mike Morrissey, has decided to take up a new position and will be ending his management company’s agreement with ECO at the end of this year.

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  • news

    Prof. Daniel Kelly Represents ECO at the United Nations General Assembly 2024

    27 September 2024

     

    On 25 September, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Prof. Daniel Kelly, representing the European Cancer Organisation and ECO's HPV and Hep B Action Network, participated in a critical meeting to discuss accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.

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  • news

    Making a Difference with Research

    20 September 2024

    Research is integral to so much of ECO’s work. Not only do we champion evidence-based policymaking (policy research), but we also foster support for research initiatives throughout the whole cancer pathway (research policy). This is why we’ve invested our efforts into strengthening the European Cancer Pulse on a regular basis and also recently launched the ‘Research Policy’ Network, which explores policy priorities for European cancer research and innovation policy at large.

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  • news

    Raising Awareness and Promoting Equity in Head and Neck Cancer Care

    16 September 2024

    As part of this year’s Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week, the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) is proud to collaborate with the Make Sense Campaign in advocating for better access to cancer care across Europe. This year’s theme, 'Equal Access, Equal Care: Uniting Europe Against Head and Neck Cancer', emphasises the need for progress in prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers. It also spotlights the need for more equitable care across Europe and what we can do to improve awareness of the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer.

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