Elisabetta Zanon, Chief Executive of the European Cancer Organisation, shared on LinkedIn:
“This week I had the privilege to address the Health EU Summit in the European Parliament.
My 5 top messages:
- The burden of cancer is massive and growing – over EUR 200bl a year in Europe in direct and indirect costs – creating challenges for the sustainability of healthcare systems;
- Cancer is the first cause of premature mortality and early onset of cancer (especially digestive) is on the rise in Europe;
- Prevention is essential, including HPV vaccination to prevent 90% of all cervical cancers and other HPV-related cancers – more action is needed to increase uptake;
- When we cannot prevent, then we must detect cancer early to save lives and reduce treatment costs – The European Cancer Organisation Screening Policy Index identifies where disparities persist in cancer screening across Europe: European Cancer Screening Policy Index 2026
- Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Mission on Cancer have been a key catalyst for action but the job is not finished – the 2028-34 EU Multiannual Financial Framework must take efforts forward to allow for full impact of ongoing actions for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems.
Thank you to European Parliament Vice-President Victor NEGRESCU and European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi for their leadership and to Dr. Florika Fink-Hooijer Director-General of HERA, MEP Tilly Metz, MEP Michael Hadjipantela, MEP Nicholas Papandreou, MEP Cristian Busoi, Ruth Prof Ladenstein, MD, Valentina Strammiello, Birgit Beger, Raluca Simbotin, Frank Loeffler, Oliver Bisazza, Sara Roda, Giovanni Battista Ivan Bellomo, Ioana Tomus for their contributions.”
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