ECO Marks World Health Day

By Prof. Csaba Dégi, president of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO)  

This year's theme, 'My health, my right', profoundly resonates with ECO's mission to ensure everyone has equal access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, regardless of socioeconomic status, geographical location, or systemic inequalities.

Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and too many people face challenges in accessing essential care. ECO believes every person deserves access to high-quality healthcare services, regardless of their circumstances. As an organisation, ECO works tirelessly to facilitate dialogue between leading experts, policymakers, and members of civil society, fostering an environment of collaboration and shared understanding.

Last month, ECO hosted a crucial workshop in Brussels, bringing together European civil societies to discuss the pressing challenges cancer patients and their families face and the urgent need to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Through its initiatives, ECO strives to amplify the voices of those affected by cancer, ensuring that their perspectives and experiences inform policy decisions and shape the future of cancer care.

On this World Health Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding healthcare as a fundamental human right. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge inequalities, and build a future where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

(To read more about ECO’s work reducing inequalities in cancer care, please visit our Inequalities Network page.)