The European Cancer Summit 2025 will unite experts, patients and policymakers for an exceptional edition, fit for exceptional times.
The Summit will focus sharply on the urgent need to secure sustained political and financial support for cancer as a health and societal priority. This year’s theme will underpin each session, shaped by the work of the European Cancer Organisation and its nine Focused Topic Networks:
Cancer in a Changing Global Landscape: Cancer care and research are being reshaped by global instability and shrinking support for international cooperation, creating far-reaching challenges for Europe and beyond.
Challenges & Commitments: As the political agenda of the European Union shifts to address geopolitical challenges, the cancer community must rally - drawing strength from the achievements of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the Cancer Mission - to ensure quality cancer care remains health priority but also a pillar of resilience, innovation, and strategic autonomy.
This year's European Cancer Summit will be chaired by:
- Kathy Oliver, Co-Chair, Patient Advisory Committee, European Cancer Organisation
- Nicolò Battisti, Co-Chair, Inequalities Network, European Cancer Organisation
To discover the work of last year's Summit, read the European Cancer Summit Report and explore key takeaways and memorable quotes from all sessions.
You can also watch the highlights from the session recordings or check out our photo gallery for day one and day two.
Registration closed
2025 Call for Abstracts
Following the third year of abstract submissions in 2024 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’s Abstract submission process, which will close on Thursday 31 July 2025 at 17:00 CEST.
General Information
Abstract submissions are open to lead authors aged 40 or younger as of 15 November 2025, (and therefore eligible to join the ECO Young Cancer Professionals group). We strongly encourage junior clinicians and academics to submit as lead authors. A maximum of 20 outstanding abstracts will be chosen for display in the Poster Exhibition at the Summit in Brussels on 19-20 November 2025, 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. (Please note that applications to join the YCP group should be made separately by contacting ycp@europeancancer.org)
ECO is committed to delivering equitable and effective cancer care globally, translating the best evidence to 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:
- Prevention, Early Detection & Screening
- HPV & Hep B
- Health Systems & Quality Cancer Care
- Survivorship & Quality of Life
- Digital Health
- Inequalities
- Workforce
- Research Policy
- Emergencies & Crises
Due to space availability, a maximum of 20 abstracts will be selected for the Poster Exhibition at the Summit and authors will be invited to present their abstracts at the European Cancer Summit 2025. Abstracts will be selected to ensure representation across all Focused Topic Networks. Lead authors of 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.
You can find the abstracts selected from the European Cancer Summit 2024 here.
Submission Guidelines
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.
5. Conclusions: Draw conclusions based on the results obtained from the study.
6. References
The 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 acknowledgment of authors and affiliations and specify one Focused Topic Network.
Review process
Each abstract will be blindly reviewed by the Co-Chairs of the relevant Focused Topic Network and ECO board-appointed reviewers. The submitted abstracts will be evaluated according to the abstract scoring grid. Please consult the provided submission guidelines and scoring grid before finalising your submission. Reviewers will use the scoring grid as a reference framework during evaluation.
Submission timeline
Please submit your abstract via email to summitabstract@europeancancer.org, indicating the Focused Topic Network selected. The deadline for abstract submission is Thursday 31 July 2025 at 17:00 CEST.
After the evaluation, lead authors will be notified in early October 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
