Pancreatic Cancer Europe (PCE) marks its 10th anniversary, reflecting on a decade of work to improve awareness, advocacy, and care for people affected by pancreatic cancer across Europe, while calling for renewed action to address one of the continent’s deadliest cancers.
Founded in 2016, PCE was established to bring together patient organisations, advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers under a single European voice. Ten years on, pancreatic cancer remains a major public health challenge, with survival rates still low and too many people diagnosed at a late stage.
Early detection remains one of the most critical challenges. Symptoms are often unclear, risk factors are not widely recognised, and diagnostic delays continue to affect patients across Europe. Improving early diagnosis must be a priority for the next decade if outcomes are to change.
Over the past decade, PCE has built a strong track record of impact by uniting a Europe-wide coalition of stakeholders, raising awareness at scale, and strengthening recognition of pancreatic cancer as a public health priority. Through collaboration across countries and disciplines, PCE has helped shape European policy, supported research and data collection initiatives, and invested in the next generation of pancreatic cancer researchers.
‘Over the past ten years, PCE has worked tirelessly to ensure that pancreatic cancer is no longer overlooked in European health policy. While progress has been made, late diagnosis continues to cost many lives. Early detection must become a shared priority across Europe – through better awareness, stronger research investment, and coordinated action. The next decade must be about turning knowledge into impact for patients,’ said Alfredo Carrato, PCE Chairperson.
As a European umbrella organisation, PCE continues to support its members and partners while advocating for increased investment in research, improved diagnostic pathways, and equitable access to quality care.
The 10th anniversary campaign, under the theme ‘Be the difference for the next decade,’ will run throughout the year, maintaining visibility for pancreatic cancer and encouraging collective action to shape priorities for the years ahead.
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