Inequalities Network

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European Cancer Summit 2023 Session: All Cancer Patients Equal - Achieving That Vision

all cancer patients equal

Watch the session recording here and read the full European Cancer Summit 2023 Report to discover the rich and diverse discussions of this session.

Initiatives

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Pulse visual

 Pulse Feeds into PFCA 680 502


The European Cancer Pulse complements the European Cancer Inequalities Registry, but with a vast array of additional metrics and a much simpler format. This will allow for more in-depth comparisons between countries and a greater understanding of the resources each is devoting to the fight against cancer. We believe these new data will be of considerable help to the EU Beating Cancer Plan by providing a more comprehensive picture of inequalities across Europe.

 

Action on Men and Cancer 

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There is an urgent need for action on all gender-related cancer inequalities, yet the issue of men’s cancers is not being addressed effectively by policymakers.

ECO, The European Association of Urology (EAU) and Global Action on Men’s Health (GAMH) launched a joint Roadmap for Improvement on this issue titled ‘Time to Accelerate: Action on Men and Cancer’.

 

Background

Levels of health inequality between countries and regions with respect to cancer prevention, control, access to treatment and survival can no longer be ignored. Inequalities also occur within countries, between regions, and between social groups.

The inequalities that can arise with respect to marginalised and vulnerable groups should not be overlooked either. As just one example for illustrative purposes, studies have found that migrant populations have greater difficulty navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, are less likely to participate in screening programmes and may also find themselves denied cancer treatment.

Driven by a common desire to achieve urgent actions to address these problems, the Network on Inequalities, led by Co-Chairs Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti and Sarah Collen, is shining a spotlight on the readily available policy mechanisms to bridge gaps and raise standards and outcomes in cancer care across all of Europe, for all groups in society.

A strong alignment in this work is made with the European Code of Cancer Practice and its aspiration to ensure every cancer patient in Europe has their rights to quality treatment and care upheld, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status or geographic location.

With the personal commitment of EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides to combatting inequalities in cancer care, the time is now to make progress!

Our Inequalities Network dedicates itself to driving consensus, presenting policy recommendations and solutions, and sharing best practices in relation to the inequalities and challenges associated to:  

  • The East-West Divide 
  • Gender 
  • Ethnicity 
  • Age 
  • Sexuality and Identity 
  • Health Literacy and Patient Education 
  • Other Marginalised Groups 

Two prominent workstreams within the Network are the LGBTQI+ and the Ethnicity workstreams, aiming at developing research, gathering data, endorse policy development on, respectively, disparities affecting the LGBTQI+ community and ethnicity-based disparities. Do you want to get involved? Please contact enea.venegoni@europeancancer.org.

To learn more or to support our work, please contact us here.

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