• Cancer policy in a time of global disruption

Look around the world today and you see fraying alliances, rising friction, and deepening uncertainty. So much is shifting – and not for the better. The global effort to fight cancer is under considerable strain, and we must ensure our mission is not derailed. Read more

• The quality of life

When was the last time someone asked you about your quality of life? Probably never – and it’s probably not a question you’d ever expect. But for a cancer patient or survivor, it’s profoundly important. When you’re living with cancer – or living beyond it – quality of life is everything. Read more

• What Will It Take?

For years, Europe’s cancer community has urged the EU and its member states to adopt more effective legislation to curb tobacco consumption. But progress has been painfully slow, resulting in thousands of cancer cases that need never have occurred. Will this time be any different? Read more

• A New Budget, A New Reality 

For months now, we’ve been awaiting it, debating it, and imagining what’s in it. Then, two weeks ago, we finally got to see it – the proposed EU budget: the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) covering 2028-2034. Read more

• ECO on the global stage

A few days ago, I was in New York for the UN High-Level Meeting on the 'Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being' to review progress and commit to accelerating action on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It was the first such gathering to feature ‘mental health’ in the title. As someone who has devoted his professional life to addressing mental health among cancer patients and survivors, it was especially gratifying to see such focus on mental health – the result of effective advocacy. Read more

• A Summit to Remember

It happens each and every year: I walk away from the European Cancer Summit with an overwhelming sense of pride in Europe’s vast cancer community. Even though we live in a time of geopolitical instability and insecurity, when so much of what we took for granted is now threatened – including vital healthcare budgets – we gathered together in Brussels and online to address the many challenges before us. Read more

• Implementing the European Health Data Space

Leaders from the European health community have welcomed the publication of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation in the EU’s Official Journal. The group now calls for a Stakeholder Forum to ensure its effective implementation. Read more

• Progress in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

Big debates are occurring in European politics. As ECO, the cancer community, and the health sector prepare to engage closer with EU and national leaders, we must re-marshal our arguments. Read more

• The time to act is now

Every delay in restricting tobacco consumption puts more lives at risk. This is why a growing number of our societies – and 12 EU Member States – are calling on the European Commission to urgently revise outdated tobacco legislation and create a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’ by 2040. Read more

• Spotlight on Polish cancer policy

The first Cancer Mission Fair held in Warsaw featured ECO and the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute unveiling the European Cancer Pulse Country Report for Poland – a snapshot of the country’s cancer policy highlighting urgent gaps in prevention and screening, alongside several promising efforts. Read more

• Advancing gender equality for women 

ECO submitted amendments to a recent report by the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality. While welcoming the report, ECO has called for greater access to cancer screening for women, better fertility care, and greater workplace equity. Read more

• Focus on facts

A new statement from ECO and the HPV Action Romania coalition condemns vaccine disinformation and calls for action to promote HPV vaccination. And while in the country there are positive developments such as a recently passed bill expanding free vaccination, the fight is not yet over. Read more

• Together Against Cancer: Cyprus

With Cyprus taking the Presidency of the Council of the European Union next year, the European Cancer Organisation convened experts, advocates, and decision-makers from across the country to ensure the fight against cancer remains both a national and EU policy priority. Read more

• The alcohol industry – Resisting warning labels

In Europe, alcohol consumption is linked to seven forms of cancer and more than 800 deaths a day. ECO has been calling on the European Commission to require warning labels. Discover how the alcohol industry responded when Ireland proposed labelling. Read more

• Together Against Cancer: Finland

The Finnish Cancer Forum 2025 brought together experts to explore the new Finnish Cancer Strategy and discuss the establishment of the Cancer Mission Hub Finland. As part of the programme, ECO co-hosted the session ‘Time to Accelerate – Together Against Cancer: the new European Cancer Pulse Country Report for Finland’. Read more

• New Data on HPV Prevention

In November, ECO was at the Polish Senate for the launch of the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas 2025. This latest edition assesses progress across Europe and introduces an updated methodology with a stronger focus on vaccination coverage. Read more

• Consultation digest

ECO contributed to several EU consultations to ensure the needs of cancer patients are reflected in broader equality, inclusion strategies and implementation of immunisation policies. Below are initiatives we engaged with. Read more

• ECDC Evaluation
• LGBTIQ Equality Strategy
• Anti-racism Strategy
• The Gender Equality Strategy
• EU's next long-term budget (MFF) EU funding for external action
• Consumer Agenda 2025-2030 and action plan on consumers in the Single Market
• EU Anti-Poverty Strategy
• EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
• EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for cross-border education, training and solidarity, young people, media, culture, and creative sectors, values, and civil society

The European Cancer Summit 2025 brought more than 75 speakers – including European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi – and 450 participants together under one roof, with even more following online, to explore the most pressing issues in cancer care today and how best to address them. Relive the best moments of day 1 & day 2 and read the latest publications and exclusive Summit releases. Read more

The European Cancer Summit 2025 ended with the launch of a major new ECO advocacy campaign. Isabel Rubio, ECO President 2026-2027 called upon the cancer community to rally behind a common goal: securing political and financial commitments to cancer care in the next EU long-term budget. Read more

On behalf of its Member Societies and Patient Advocacy Groups, the European Cancer Organisation convenes interested stakeholders around nine Focused Topic Networks.

• Next Level for Cancer Screening in Europe

Quality screening programmes are essential to detect cancers as early as possible and improve treatment outcomes. Over the past two years, ECO worked with cancer experts and partner organisations to compile data, best practices and lived experiences into a new policy action plan. Unveiled at the European Cancer Summit, the flagship report is now available to the public. Read more

• A landmark event to tackle HPV in South East Europe

ECO gathered health leaders from 12 countries to discuss ways of improving rates of HPV vaccination and screening. The conference, held in Sophia, Bulgaria, culminated with a unique joint declaration committing the countries to collaborate closely in the fight against the human papilloma virus and the cancers it causes. Read more

• Ensuring the legacy of the HPV South East Europe Conference

On 14 March, ECO held a follow-up meeting to the HPV South East Europe conference, delving into lessons learnt and how best to use the joint declaration signed in Bulgaria. Read more

• Bulgaria transforms its approach to HPV vaccination

The country has adopted a sweeping new five-year programme. It will now offer free HPV vaccination not only to girls but to all boys and young adults. Read more

• Time to End HPV Cancers in Europe

ECO joined forces with MEP Tilly Metz to host a high-level event at the European Parliament to explore EU progress on eliminating HPV cancers and reignite political momentum for the road ahead. Read more

• Improving Cervical Cancer Screening

ECO published a new report which reveals how several countries still face barriers in implementing organised cervical screening. Read more

• Quality Care for Hematological Malignancies: A Step Forward

Every year, 300,000 Europeans receive a blood cancer diagnosis such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. And the numbers are on the rise. This is not acceptable. While Europe has made real strides in identifying and treating hematological malignancies, we must push earlier diagnosis as well as better access to tailored information, emotional support, and patient advocacy services. Read more

• Insights for Better Research

ECO’s Research Policy Network has released its Green Paper on ‘Optimising EU Investment in Cancer Research’, and how it can be made more strategic, sustainable, and impactful. Your feedback is important, so please have a look and give us your opinion. Read more

• New Efforts on Quality of Life

ECO released a new policy paper calling for bold EU action to improve the lives of people living with and beyond cancer. The report brings together insights from over 40 experts and organisations to highlight progress, gaps, and the path ahead for better survivorship and quality-of-life policies across Europe. Read more

• Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming virtually every aspect of cancer care – from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship. ECO’s AI report unveiled at the Summit, provides valuable guidance and policy recommendations for European institutions and national governments to unlock AI’s many benefits while minimising risks. Read more

• A great leap forward for women’s cancer rights

ECO organised a European Parliament event on 'Women and Cancer: More than 12 million reasons for action!' on 6 March, just two days before International Women's Day. Read more

• Mind the gap: let's talk about men and cancer

International Men’s Health Week (9–15 June) is a reminder that men continue to face a higher cancer burden, accounting for 53% of new cases and 55% of cancer deaths in Europe. At ECO, we’re working to change this through our Men and Cancer Workstream, advancing gender-sensitive policy and practice to improve outcomes. Read more

• Addressing ethnic disparities in cancer care

ECO and the European Public Health Alliance held a powerful webinar on combating ethnic disparities in health care, with a focus on prostate and breast cancer and ways to develop better outreach initiatives. Watch the Recording

• Rallying the community

World Health Worker Week highlighted the cancer workforce crisis across Europe. Thanks to the engagement of our community, more than 17,000 social media accounts received #CancerWorkforce messages highlighting the many faces of the crisis. Read more

• European cancer workforce: under pressure

Our new article in The Lancet Oncology, written by the co-chairs of ECO’s Cancer Workforce Network: Wendy Oldenmenger, Wim Ceelen, and Mirjam Crul. It clearly illustrates the growing crisis in working conditions and mental health among oncology professionals across Europe. Read more

• ASCO, COSA, ECO: Protecting the Cancer Care Workforce

In a joint statement published on 10 September, in The Lancet Oncology, the three organisations issued a unified call to action to address global health workforce shortages and shared four principles for creating and sustaining healthy workplace cultures in cancer care and research. Read more

• Rethinking integral cancer care

ECO hosted the Community 365 Roundtable ‘Cancer care: are we treating the whole patient?’, bringing together experts and stakeholders to address three often-overlooked pillars of comprehensive cancer care: medical nutrition, antimicrobial resistance, and healthcare-acquired infections. Read more

• Reducing cancer deaths among women

Every year, 600,000 women in the European Union lose their lives to cancer, often needlessly. The cancer community must work to improve early detection and timely treatment. This roundtable explored how we can place women and cancer at the top of the European health agenda. Read more

• Building a Stronger Oncology Workforce

The European Cancer Organisation hosted a high-level roundtable on how workforce challenges in oncology are impacting patient care and limiting equitable access to innovation. It featured three panels focused on: cancer nurses; people working in precision cancer medicine; and those specialising in radioligand therapy. Read more

• Raising the Bar in Cancer Medicine across Europe

Another high-level roundtable we hosted in October focused on personalised treatment: tailoring prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient – and how we can make this approach part of standard care. The session also informed ECO plans to create the ‘Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care: Precision Cancer Medicine’, so that every patient has equitable access to innovative cancer solutions. Read more

At ECO, we lead initiatives to improve cancer care across Europe. From enhancing early detection to promoting equitable treatment access, we support patients throughout their cancer journey.  By fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patient advocates, we drive systemic improvements and reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. Read more here

As Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and EU Cancer Mission are now being implemented by the European Commission, with a number of EU4Health and HORIZON funding calls being launched regularly, we are coordinating some EU funded projects and participating in others, as a consortium member. Read more here

The Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE) provides accreditation to Continuing Medical Education (CME) providers for the benefit of participants receiving education in oncology.

• Staying ahead in oncology education

The Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE) continues to be at the forefront of advancing high-quality educational standards. We invite all education providers and our valued Member Societies who wish to benefit from the accreditation process to apply now for accreditation, whether for live events or distance learning programmes. Read more

• ACOE Launches CPD Accreditation

The Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE) has launched new efforts on Continuing Professional Development, supporting high-quality oncology education beyond physician-focused activities to the full spectrum of oncology professionals, including nurses, radiation therapists, and allied health specialists. Read more

The Patient Advisory Committee, established in 2008, provides European patient organisations and bodies involved in patient care with a solid platform to express their expectations in solidarity with our Member Societies and provide the European Cancer Organisation with direct insight into the issues and challenges faced by cancer patients.

• Advancing the right to be forgotten

ECO’s Patient Advisory Committee has written to the EU Health Commissioner and the EU Financial Services Commissioner urging fair access for cancer survivors when applying for loans, mortgages, insurance, and other financial services. Read more

• Strengthening patient voices

Youth Cancer Europe, a dedicated PAC member, joined us at the European Parliament for an event organised by ECO and Romana Jerković, MEP. We continue to call for stronger patient rights across healthcare and policy frameworks. Read more

The International Committee has been established to co-ordinate ECO’s activities and relationships outside Europe. It ensures these global relationships are maintained and enhanced at Board level, with further collaboration opportunities explored and implemented.

The Young Cancer Professionals group is led by a Steering Committee formed by experts and leaders in their fields.

Their objective is to support further development of the group and the participants' aims, plans and goals, establishing collaboration and education opportunities, as well as discussing policy matters that tackle the current issues of the workforce.

• Young cancer professionals meet the health commissioner

On World Cancer Day, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi hosted a cohort of ECO’s young cancer professionals from ten countries and diverse specialties (from oncology nursing to interventional radiology). Read more

• Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable attracts record attendance

'Evolving Professions within the Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Team’ was the latest Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable, organised in collaboration with the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP). Watch the Recording

• Empathy and compassion fatigue

Cancer affects both the body and the mind. The Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable hosted by the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) and the European Cancer Organisation explored how empathetic care can improve treatment outcomes and highlighted the need to support professionals facing compassion fatigue. Read more

• Breast Cancer in Women with Dense Breasts

This Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable, developed with the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI), brought together young oncologists, imaging specialists and patient voices to explore why dense breast tissue complicates early detection and ways to address the problem. Read more

The process of Endorsement Decision-Making enables the European Cancer Organisation to be fast and effective in reviewing endorsement requests. Read more

Elisabetta Zanon is a senior professional with more than 20 years of experience in European affairs, much of it as a dynamic champion for better healthcare. ECO is pleased to announce her appointment as Chief Executive, effective 3 February 2025. Read more

• Getting to Know You

What makes the European Cancer Organisation so remarkable is its members and the passion and unwavering commitment of the professionals they represent. Ever since I became ECO’s new chief executive, one of my priorities has been to get to know these member societies better. Read more

• Building the Case

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission have made improving cancer care an unequivocal EU priority. The question now is: can we afford to take our foot off the accelerator while the political focus is shifting elsewhere? Read more

• From across the pond

I’ve attended many scientific congresses over the years, but the recent gathering in Chicago for the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) stood out in scale and energy. Read more

• Looking to Cyprus

Among the 27 member countries of the European Union, Cyprus ranks among the smallest. But come 1 January, its influence will far eclipse its size. On that date, Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a rotating position held by each member state for six months, every 13.5 years. Read more

•  Giving prostate cancer the attention it deserves

On this year’s European Prostate Cancer Awareness Day, on 3 September, ECO joined forces with the European Association of Urology, EuropaUomo, and Global Action on Men’s Health to raise policymakers’ awareness of the burden of prostate cancer. All too often, the diagnosis comes too late for effective treatment, and the treatments available at that stage can have lasting side effects that severely diminish a man’s quality of life. Read more

• Game Changer

Artificial intelligence has begun reshaping our approach to cancer, at every stage – from prevention and screening, through diagnosis and treatment, to post-treatment monitoring and drug development. But how can Europe become a leader in this area? That’s the underlying question in the European Commission’s recent ’Apply AI’ strategy. Read more

• Find It Early

So much of a person’s cancer journey is dictated by when the disease is discovered. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. That’s why more – and better – cancer screening has become so critically important and why ECO’s Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network has just released its first detailed review of policies across the EU. Read more