The European Cancer Summit 2026 will bring together healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and policymakers for an edition that reflects the urgency and ambition of our times. The discussions will be structured around four policy tracks, echoing this year’s theme.
This year's European Cancer Summit will be chaired by:
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08:45-09:15 |
Registration & welcome coffee |
09:15-09:30 |
Opening session |
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With:
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POLICY TRACK 1: Advancing Cancer Prevention and Early Detection for a Healthier Europe |
09:30-10:30 |
From Stigma to Action: Accelerating HPV and Hepatitis B-related Cancers Elimination |
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Organised by the HPV & Hep B Action Network |
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This session will explore how Europe can accelerate the elimination of cancers related to HPV and Hepatitis B by strengthening vaccination and screening strategies and addressing stigma as a persistent barrier to uptake. The discussion will feature the latest ECO policy tools — HPV Atlas, HPV Vaccination Guide, and Hepatitis B Policy Paper — as practical resources for policymakers and health authorities to accelerate progress toward eliminating these preventable cancers across Europe. |
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With network co-chairs Daniel Kelly and Patrizia Carrieri, including speakers:
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10:30-11:00 |
Coffee break |
11:00-12:15 |
From Risk Reduction to Early Diagnosis: Reimagining Europe’s Cancer Prevention Pathway |
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Organised by the Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network |
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The session will focus on how to strengthen Europe’s approach to cancer prevention and early detection through better risk-factor regulation, advanced screening implementation, and more effective pathways to diagnosis. It will highlight major policy developments, including EU initiatives to reinforce regulation of tobacco and ultra-processed food products, as well as the launch of a landmark report assessing the status and maturity of organised cancer screening programmes across Europe. |
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With network co-chairs Luis Seijo and Thomas Seufferlein, including speakers:
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12:15-13:15 |
Networking lunch & poster presentation |
13:15-14:15 |
SPECIAL SESSION: Cancer Control: The Return on Investment |
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Cancer results in economic losses of more than €200 billion annually across Europe, driven by healthcare costs, lost productivity, labour market disruption, and premature mortality. The session will elaborate on how investing across the cancer pathway — from prevention and early detection to treatment, survivorship, and quality of life — goes beyond reducing mortality and improving patient outcomes to also strengthening workforce participation, lowering long-term healthcare costs, and enhancing productivity. |
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With:
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14:15-14:30 |
Session transition with refreshments |
POLICY TRACK 2: Cancer Research and Digital Innovation for a Competitive Europe |
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14:30-14:50 |
Keynote Presentation |
14:50-15:00 |
Session transition |
15:00-16:10 |
Digital Cancer Innovation for Better Care and a Stronger Europe |
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Organised by the Digital Health Network |
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This session will explore how cutting-edge digital technologies — from shared data ecosystems and AI-supported decision tools to digital pathology — can transform cancer care while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. Speakers will showcase how digital solutions can accelerate and improve diagnosis, treatment precision, and build a more future-ready European cancer ecosystem. They will also discuss opportunities to link cancer and cardiovascular disease screening pathways, with the support of AI. |
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With network co-chair Annemiek Snoeckx, including speakers:
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16:10-16:40 |
Coffee break |
16:40-17:50 |
Strengthening Europe’s Cancer Clinical Trials Landscape |
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Organised by the Research Policy Network |
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This session will examine the critical role of cancer clinical trials in driving meaningful progress for patients and health systems. It will explore how streamlined regulatory pathways can accelerate access to new therapies and optimise treatment delivery. Speakers will discuss what it takes to reinforce Europe’s leadership in oncology research and innovation, ensuring that clinical trials remain a cornerstone of high-quality, equitable cancer care. |
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With network co-chair Christine Chomienne, including speakers:
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17:50-18:30 |
The Top Abstracts from ECO’s Young Cancer Professionals |
18:30-20:30 |
Networking reception at the Summit venue |
08:45-09:15 |
Registration & welcome coffee |
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POLICY TRACK 3: Enhancing Europe’s Cancer System Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty |
09:15-10:15 |
National Cancer Control Plans: Placing Cancer Above Political Cycles |
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Organised by the Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network |
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The session will explore the critical role of National Cancer Control Plans in maintaining sustained political commitment to reducing the burden of cancer at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and competing political priorities. By leveraging the momentum created by Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and integrating emerging EU-supported cancer networks and infrastructures into national health systems, European countries can reduce future disease burden and plan adequate resources to provide equitable, high-quality cancer care. |
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With network co-chairs Piotr Rutkowski and Yolande Lievens, including speakers:
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10:15-10:25 |
Session transition |
10:25-10:45 |
Keynote |
10:45-11:15 |
Coffee break |
11:15-12:30 |
Protecting Cancer Care as Critical Infrastructure in Times of Crisis |
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Organised by the Emergencies and Crises Network |
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As geopolitical tensions rise, cancer care must be recognised and protected as critical infrastructure vulnerable to disruption. The session will examine how to safeguard oncology care under such conditions. It will explore protection — securing facilities, digital systems, and data integrity; continuity — ensuring patient pathways, workforce stability, and access to cross-border treatment; and preparedness — strengthening planning, governance, and coordination so cancer services remain operational during crises. |
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With network co-chairs Mark Lawler and Jacek Jassem, including speakers:
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12:30-13:30 |
Networking lunch |
POLICY TRACK 4: Closing the Gaps in Cancer Care for a Fairer and More Equitable Europe |
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13:30-14:45 |
From Vision to Action - The European Survivorship & Quality-of-life Checklist |
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Organised by the Survivorship and Quality of Life Network |
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The session will examine survivorship and quality of life as a structural equity challenge in European cancer care, where major gaps persist in implementation, access and outcomes. Despite increased policy attention, support services remain uneven and fragmented across Europe. During the session, the ECO European Survivorship & Quality of Life Checklist will be presented as a practical framework to translate commitments into measurable standards and to track progress consistently across countries. |
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With network co-chairs Luzia Travado and Anne Letsch, including speakers:
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14:45-15:00 |
Session transition with refreshments |
15:00-16:00 |
Bridging the Distance: Reducing Rural–Urban Gaps in Cancer Care |
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Organised by the Inequalities Network |
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Building on last year’s successful spotlight session on the topic, this year’s session will explore the persistent disparities in cancer outcomes between rural and urban populations and the system-level changes needed to close them. Speakers will discuss barriers to early detection, timely diagnosis, specialist access, and treatment continuity in rural settings, and look at possible solutions. |
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With network co-chairs Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti and Sarah Collen, including speakers:
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16:00-16:30 |
Coffee break |
16:30-17:30 |
Inclusive Leadership for Better Cancer Care |
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Organised by the Workforce Network |
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A more diverse cancer workforce and leadership can deliver culturally responsive, patient-centred care while also improving equity within the workplace. The session will examine multiple dimensions of diversity in the cancer workforce — including gender, ethnic background, and age — and the specific challenges associated with each. The discussion will highlight the barriers that professionals may face in reaching leadership positions and the benefits of addressing these gaps for patients, healthcare professionals and cancer systems as a whole. |
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With network co-chairs Wendy Oldenmenger, Mirjam Crul and Wim Ceelen, including speakers:
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17:30-17:45 |
Closing session |

Following the fourth year of abstract submissions in 2025 and the continued growth of the Young Cancer Professionals (YCP) group, we are pleased to announce the opening of this year’s European Cancer Summit abstract submission process, which will close on Friday, 31 July 2026 at 17:00 CEST.
Abstract submissions are open to lead authors who are 40 years old or younger as of 15 November 2026 (and therefore eligible to join the ECO Young Cancer Professionals group). We particularly encourage lead author submissions from academics and junior clinicians. Submissions are welcome from eligible authors based preferably in Europe, but also internationally, with priority given to ECO Member Societies and their members.
Please note that applications to join the ECO Young Cancer Professionals group should be made separately by contacting ycp@europeancancer.org.
A maximum of 20 outstanding abstracts will be chosen for display in the Poster Exhibition at the Summit in Brussels on 18-19 November 2026, with authors invited to introduce their work during the event. From these, up to three will be selected to deliver a formal presentation at the European Cancer Summit. Only young cancer professionals listed as authors on the abstract submission will be eligible for a presentation.
Lead authors of (up to 20) selected abstracts will receive free registration for the Summit. All accepted abstracts will also be published on the ECO website and, after the Summit, in the Journal of Cancer Policy. Kindly note that travel and accommodation for finalist authors attending the Summit cannot be covered by ECO.
You can find the abstracts selected from the European Cancer Summit 2025 here.
ECO is committed to delivering equitable and effective cancer care globally, translating the best evidence into policy and practice. Research abstracts must fit within our key Focused Topic Networks, which cover all priority areas of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and EU Cancer Mission recommendations.
The key categories are:
Abstracts will be selected to ensure representation across all Focused Topic Networks.
Please note that abstracts focusing exclusively on clinical research fall outside the scope of the European Cancer Summit and will not be considered under this call.
The abstract should be a maximum of 400 words (excluding the title and references) and must include the following subheadings:
1. Title in UPPER CASE
2. Background: Explain the importance, relevance, and existing knowledge gaps related to the subject.
3. Methods: Describe the research methods employed in the study.
4. Results: Present the findings and outcomes of the study. Only abstracts with final results available at the time of submission will be considered.
5. Conclusions and practical implementation: Draw conclusions based on the study results, including considerations for practical implementation.
6. References
Each abstract may include a maximum of one figure or table and up to three references. Authors must use this Word template to prepare their submission and email the completed document in PDF format to summitabstract@europeancancer.org. The file should be named as follows: Last name_First name_title.pdf. Submissions must include proper acknowledgement of authors and affiliations and specify one Focused Topic Network.
Abstracts do not need to be exclusive and may have been submitted to other events. Authors should ensure compliance with any rules regarding prior or simultaneous submissions to other conferences or publications.
Each abstract will be blindly reviewed by the Co-Chairs of the relevant Focused Topic Network and ECO board-appointed reviewers. Evaluation will follow the abstract scoring grid, which should be consulted along with the submission guidelines before finalising your abstract. Reviewers will use the scoring grid as a framework during evaluation.
Please submit your abstract via email to summitabstract@europeancancer.org, indicating the Focused Topic Network selected. The deadline is Friday, 31 July 2026 at 17:00 CEST. Abstracts submitted after this time will not be accepted.
Lead authors will be notified in early October 2026 and, if selected, invited to present their work at the Summit in Brussels.
We encourage you to promote this opportunity to your members and contacts. Should you have any questions, please send us an email at summitabstract@europeancancer.org.
Directly following the European Cancer Summit, on 20 November and at the same venue, leaders in EU policy, oncology, and advocacy will meet for an in-depth discussion about two stellar EU-funded initiatives. These projects are key drivers of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission – providing powerful examples of collaboration across Europe:

European Conference on Inter-Speciality Cancer Training and Care: Advancing Collaboration, Skills and Person-Centred Care through INTERACT-EUROPE 100
Bringing together Europe’s oncology community at a pivotal moment, this conference will showcase the achievements of INTERACT-EUROPE 100 while charting the next phase of inter-speciality cancer training. It offers a unique opportunity to transform the programme’s success into lasting, system-wide adoption for better cancer care and outcomes.
Registrations will open soon here.
This multi-stakeholder event marks the culmination of the EUonQoL project promoting quality of life in cancer care, with a strategic focus on policy translation and sustainability. It also serves as the multistakeholder event of the Quality of Life - Patient-Centred Care cluster of the EU Mission on Cancer, bringing together nine EU-funded projects for a joint high-level collaborative policy discussion.
Registrations will open soon here.