Andreas Charalambous and Lieven Annemans Discuss the Future of Europe’s Cancer Policy

Andreas Charalambous, Chair of Nursing at University of Cyprus and Executive Board Member at The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), former President of the European Cancer Organisation, Director of the e-OncoRise Research Center for Oncology and Palliative Care, shared a post on LinkedIn by Vital Transformation, adding:

“I had a productive and insightful discussion with Professor Lieven Annemans during which we engaged in a meaningful exchange of perspectives on current challenges and opportunities in cancer care across Europe.

We shared concrete recommendations and strategic visions aimed at supporting the comprehensive and effective implementation of the EU Beating Cancer Plan and the Cancer Mission, with a particular focus on strengthening prevention, early detection, equitable access to treatment, and improved patient outcomes across Member States.

I also had the opportunity to emphasize the critical role of technology in driving health system transformation, particularly within the context of cancer care. In this regard, initiatives such as TRANSiTION – which focus on equipping healthcare professionals with essential digital skills through targeted skilling and upskilling programs – are indispensable.

Such projects not only support the integration of innovative technologies into clinical practice but also ensure that the healthcare workforce is prepared to meet the evolving needs of patients in a digitally enabled cancer care landscape.

Thank you Vital Transformation, Duane Schulthess and Merck for the opportunity.”

Quoting Vital Transformation‘s post:

“In this Vital Health Podcast, host Duane Schulthess speaks with two leading European voices on oncology and health economics:

• Andreas Charalambous: Chair of Nursing at University of Cyprus and Executive Board Member at The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), former President of the European Cancer Organisation, Director of the e-OncoRise Research Center for Oncology and Palliative Care
• Lieven Annemans: Professor of Health Economics at Ghent University, past President of ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research

Together, they unpack why the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan and Cancer Mission remain only partially implemented and what it will take to turn commitments into action.

Key Topics:

• Centralized vs. National Action: Why Europe still needs coordinated cancer strategies alongside national execution, and how fragmentation drives inertia.
• Costs, Rarity, and Value: The economics of small patient populations, return on investment, and why rare cancers demand inclusion in national plans.
• Prevention & Early Detection: How shifting budgets from treatment to prevention and screening offers long-term impact but little short-term political payoff.
• Equity & Access: Unequal survival rates between and within EU member states, limited medicine availability in countries like Greece, and the role of patient engagement.
• Data & Accountability: Calls for plan-do-check-act cycles, stronger measurement, and better digital health training for Europe’s cancer workforce.
• Financing & Long-Term Policy: Whether EU-level financing instruments should support health infrastructure, and why tackling social and commercial determinants could reshape outcomes over decades.

This episode offers a candid look at the complexity of cancer policy in Europe, exploring prevention, financing, innovation, and political realities that will define cancer care over the next decade.

Listen here.

Opinions expressed are those of the speakers, not the institutions listed. Podcast created with the support of Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD). Recorded July 2025.”

More posts featuring Andreas Charalambous on OncoDaily.