08:30-09:00

Registration

Registration and badge printing will be on the ground floor again this year, to the right as you enter the hotel. Attendees can then head upstairs for coffee and a continental breakfast before the day's sessions begin.

09:00-09:15

Opening Session

With:
Csaba Dégi, President, European Cancer Organisation
Kathy Oliver, Summit Co-Chair & ECO Patient Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Nicolò Battisti, Summit Co-Chair & Inequalities Network Co-Chair

09:15-10:30

Breaking Barriers: Confronting Bias, Seen and Unseen, in Cancer Care

Organised by the Inequalities Network

Cancer does not affect all people equally.  Gender and sexual identity can be important determinants of cancer and health outcomes. In this session we focus in on how women and LGBTIQ individuals often face unique barriers in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment—barriers rooted in social, economic, and structural inequalities. From disparities in access to screening programs to bias in medical research and healthcare delivery, these gaps can lead to delayed diagnoses, poorer outcomes, and increased suffering.

This session will emphasise the urgent need for inclusive policies, equitable healthcare systems, and targeted interventions. We will explore insights from ECO's new Women and Cancer Policy Index and discuss the key findings from ECO's survey on challenges faced by the LGBTIQ community. By identifying obstacles, amplifying voices, and pushing for meaningful change, we aim to ensure that equity is placed at the heart of all cancer policies.

10:30-11:00

Coffee Break

11:00-12:15

Not Just Treatment: The Power of Prevention and Cancer Screening

Organised by the Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network

While groundbreaking advancements in treatment continue to save lives, the reality is that too many cancers remain preventable—and too many diagnoses come too late. Now is the time to strengthen action in critical areas such as tobacco, screening and early detection.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for nearly 27% of all cases across the EU. Despite regulatory progress, new challenges have emerged, particularly with the rising use of novel tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Stricter regulation is needed to protect young people and prevent addiction. At the same time, new technologies in early detection offer an opportunity to transform cancer outcomes by identifying the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages. Through this session, we will explore how Europe can take decisive action to accelerate prevention efforts, modernise screening practices, and build a future where fewer lives are lost to cancer.

12:15-13:15

Networking Lunch & Poster Presentations

13:15-14:30

Towards the Finish Line: Accelerating Momentum for HPV-related Cancers Elimination in Europe

Organised by the HPV & Hep B Action Network

Europe is making significant strides toward a major public health milestone: the elimination of HPV-related cancers. Thanks to growing political commitment, scientific advancements, and strengthened regional cooperation, this once-distant goal is now within reach. However, achieving elimination requires sustained momentum, strategic execution, and collective action to translate progress into measurable impact.

This session acknowledges that we are at a critical turning point, shifting from planning to implementation. It will showcase the key tools, data, and partnerships driving this transition—including insights from the latest ECO paper on cervical cancer and HPV screening, updates from the ECDC on HPV vaccination monitoring, and the forthcoming revision of the HPV Elimination Atlas.

The message behind this session is clear: Europe is making significant progress, and now is the time to accelerate efforts. Success will not only depend on scaling effective strategies, but also on ensuring that progress reaches every country, every community, and every patient.

14:30-14:45

Transition break

14:45-16:00

Keynote Session on Cancer in a Changing Global Landscape: Challenges & Commitments

16:00-16:30    

Coffee break

16:30-17:45

Artificial Intelligence and Cancer Care: A Paradigm Shift in Progress

Organised by the Digital Health Network

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming oncology, offering new possibilities for prevention, early detection, personalised treatment, and advanced research. As AI-driven tools become more integrated into cancer care, they hold the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimise clinical workflows, and improve patient outcomes. This session will explore key cross-cutting themes identified in the ECO report on AI, including AI literacy and education, trust and ethics, and the pivotal role of data in the digitalization of cancer care. As AI technologies evolve, it is critical to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge to interpret and utilize AI-generated insights effectively. Similarly, ethical considerations—ranging from data privacy to the role of AI in medical decision-making—must remain central to discussions on implementation.

These foundational topics will guide the conversation, complemented by real-world examples and concrete AI applications across the cancer care continuum—from prevention and early detection to treatment and survivorship.

17:45-18:15

Presenting the top abstracts from ECO’s Young Cancer Professionals

Announcing the Rising Star Grants from the European Cancer Community Foundation 

18:15-20:15

Networking Reception at Summit venue

08:15-08:45

Registration

Registration and badge printing will be on the ground floor again this year, to the right as you enter the hotel. Attendees can then head upstairs for coffee and a continental breakfast before the day's sessions begin.

08:45-10:00

Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life:  Is the EU Doing Enough?

Organised by the Survivorship & Quality of Life Network

Surviving cancer in Europe today is about more than just overcoming the disease — it is about actively restoring a person's quality of life after treatment. While medical advancements have improved survival rates, the physical, psychological, and social challenges that follow are often underestimated. From lingering health complications and financial insecurity to emotional distress and societal stigma, survivors navigate a complex post-treatment reality that demands more attention. But is the EU doing enough to support them?

This session begins with a powerful survivor testimony, shedding light on the lived experience of cancer survivorship. It then explores how EU policies on survivorship and quality of life have evolved, guided by insights from the new ECO Survivorship and Quality of Life Paper. We will examine best practices, EU-funded research, and evidence-based guidelines, identifying where progress has been made and where barriers to implementation persist.

10:00-10:20

Coffee Break

10:20-11:35

Strengthening the Oncology Workforce: Addressing Shortages, Well-being, and Future Skills

Organised by the Workforce Network

The oncology workforce is facing growing challenges, with staff shortages, increasing workload, and rising levels of burnout placing enormous pressure on healthcare professionals. The demand for cancer care is rising, driven by an aging population, higher cancer incidence, and more complex treatment protocols—yet the workforce tasked with delivering care is struggling to keep pace. At the same time, cancer care is evolving rapidly, reflecting scientific and technological advancements that require new skill sets and continuous education and professional development.

This session will examine both the challenges and solutions needed to create a resilient and future-ready oncology workforce. It will explore strategies to retain and support professionals, highlighting the importance of healthy work environments. The discussion will also focus on how to ensure that that education and professional development programs evolve to meet the demands of new technologies, digital healthcare, and emerging treatment approaches.

11:35-11:45

Transition break

11:45-13:00

National Cancer Control Plans in Focus: Lessons, Challenges, and Future Directions

Organised by the Health Systems & Quality Cancer Care Network

National cancer control plans play a crucial role in reducing the burden of cancer, providing a roadmap to design and implement efficient prevention and control that take into account the context of a country’s cancer burden, risk factors, prevalence, available resources, sociocultural environment and so on. As countries across Europe develop or refine their cancer strategies, valuable insights emerge from reviewing existing cancer plans to analyse what has worked and where gaps exist.

This session will bring together experts, who have conducted comprehensive analysis of cancer plans, together with policymakers responsible for developing and implementing cancer plans. They will debate learnings we can draw from existing plans and how to overcome implementation challenges, as well as explore innovative solutions to foster more coordinated, impactful, and patient-centred cancer policies.

13:00-14:00

Networking Lunch

14:00-15:15

Bringing European Cancer Research to the Next Level: Cooperation, Innovation and Transformation

Organised by the Research Policy Network

EU action on health and life sciences research, including the EU Cancer Mission, have played a pivotal role in shaping the future of cancer control across Europe. By fostering cutting-edge scientific discovery, supporting large-scale collaborative projects, and championing patient-centred innovation, these initiatives have laid a strong foundation for tackling one of Europe’s most pressing health challenges. 

Yet the path forward requires even greater ambition. Stronger coordination, long-term strategic goals, the integration of diverse expertise, and the pooling of resources will be key to bring European research to the next level and ensure that research and innovation translate into improved outcomes across all European regions.

This session will reflect on the progress achieved and define the next level of ambition for European cancer research. Together, we will explore how strengthened cooperation, and a more unified vision can accelerate discovery, inform policy, and drive impactful, sustainable change to reduce the burden of cancer.

15:15-15:35

Coffee break

15:35-16:50

When Time Is of the Essence: Strengthening Cancer Care in Times of Emergencies and Crises

Organised by the Emergencies & Crises Network

Emergencies and crises have become a recurring challenge for our healthcare systems in recent times. First came the COVID-19 pandemic, then the war in Ukraine, followed by the conflict in Gaza, and now the growing trade war, which risks exacerbating medicine shortages. These crises have had profound implications for cancer care, leading to disruptions in treatment, delays in diagnoses, and ultimately, the loss of lives and suffering for countless patients and their families.

By joining forces, we are much stronger in addressing these challenges, finding solutions, and building resilience within our healthcare systems. Only through united efforts can we safeguard the progress made in cancer care and ensure that patients receive the timely, uninterrupted treatment they deserve.

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission have proven to be powerful catalysts for joint action across borders in the fight against cancer. Now is the time to reinforce commitment and ensure that cancer care remains a priority even in times of crisis.

16:50-17:00

Closing session

With:
Csaba Dégi, President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
Kathy Oliver, Summit Co-Chair & ECO Patient Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Nicolò Battisti, Summit Co-Chair & ECO Inequalities Network Co-Chair