Youth Policymaking and Advocacy in Colon Cancer Prevention and Control

In the inaugural event of the Global Cancer Movement, initiated by OncoDaily, Dr. Christos Tsagkaris delivers an inspiring perspective on youth advocacy in cancer prevention and control. The virtual event, held from December 6-8, 2024, brought together global leaders to highlight the transformative role of young professionals in shaping healthcare policy and advancing cancer care initiatives.

Dr. Christos Tsagkaris, introduces the topic by explaining that instead of delivering a traditional lecture, he will simulate a discussion with a European Minister of Health, aiming to persuade the official to integrate young people into national and global cancer policies. This approach highlights a collaborative and practical conversation rather than a one-sided presentation.

The context is further set by a discussion between two individuals about the political landscape of Lisenberg, a small European country, which is in the process of creating a national cancer plan. They explain the dynamics of the conversation that Dr. Tsagkaris, a young medical doctor and advocate, has with the Minister of Health, a former finance professor.

Early in the discussion, the minister expresses skepticism about the value of involving young people in the fight against cancer, particularly colon cancer, which is typically associated with older adults. The minister doubts whether young people, due to their lack of experience, can offer practical solutions to a complex issue like cancer control.

However, Dr. Tsagkaris quickly counters this skepticism by clarifying that when he refers to young people, he is not just speaking about teenagers but rather individuals between the ages of 17 to 35, a group that includes young professionals, many of whom work in healthcare and related fields. This demographic is highly connected, tech-savvy, and already contributing meaningfully to society. Dr. Tsagkaris argues that these young professionals are not just the future of healthcare, but an essential part of the present, emphasizing their potential to bring change.

The minister, still unconvinced, pushes back, seeking tangible evidence that young people’s efforts are not just about awareness but can lead to real results. Dr. Tsagkaris acknowledges the importance of awareness campaigns but shifts the conversation to concrete examples of youth-driven initiatives.

One example he brings up is the Madrid Declaration for a Tobacco-Free Generation by 2040, a movement launched in Spain aimed at strengthening tobacco control policies across Europe. This declaration advocates for the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a major international treaty aimed at reducing tobacco use globally.

Dr. Tsagkaris illustrates how young professionals, through their involvement in the Ambassadors of the European Code Against Cancer, have been integral in pushing for this declaration, showing that young people are not only engaged in abstract ideas but are actively working within political systems to make a significant impact on cancer prevention policies.

The transcript sets the stage for a broader conversation about the role of young people in cancer prevention and control, highlighting their involvement in international forums and concrete policy changes. Dr. Tsagkaris’s efforts to push back against the minister’s doubts are framed by his examples of how youth advocacy is not just limited to awareness but is also directly tied to policy change and global health discussions.