Developed in close collaboration with ECO's Focused Topic Networks, the Summit Report encapsulates the 12 Summit sessions, key takeaways, and memorable interventions from the panellists. It highlights the strong commitment of the cancer community to accelerate improvements in cancer care policy, leading to better patient outcomes.
Cancer won’t wait. Why should we?
This year’s edition has attracted a record number of delegates joining in Brussels to meet and greet friends and colleagues from across Europe and beyond.
Where else will you find oncology experts, patient advocates, politicians, and policymakers collaborating on the future of cancer care in Europe? What are the greatest challenges that lie ahead? What are the key priorities and most effective strategies for success?
The Summit is where every aspect of cancer care – present and future – can be explored thanks to our Member Societies, Patient Advocacy groups, and our ten Focused Topic Networks.
This is the event that showcases our multi-stakeholder, collaborative efforts to bring about more effective, efficient, and equitable cancer care in Europe.
The Summit session recordings are available online. To relive some of the key Summit moments check out our photo gallery for day one and day two.
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
European Cancer Summit Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Read Bio
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Tomislav Sokol MEP Rapporteur for EU law on the European Health Data Space
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Nicoleta Pauliuc Romanian Senator
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Steve Brine MP Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Read Bio
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Nataly Hrad Ukrainian Cancer Patient
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Richard Sullivan Co Director, Conflict & Health Research Group, Institute of Cancer Policy & Kings College, London Read Bio
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Winette van der Graaf Co-Chair, European Cancer Summit, Board Member, European Cancer Organisation, and President, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer
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Kathy Oliver Chair and Co-Director, International Brain Tumour Alliance, Co-Chair, European Cancer Summit, and Co-Chair, Patient Advisory Committee, European Cancer Organisation
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Ajay Aggarwal Clinical Director for the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre & Board Member, European Cancer Organisation
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Isabel Rubio President, European Society of Surgical Oncology and Co-Chair, Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network
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Manan Shah Lecturer, Global Health, Rutgers University & Vice President, Global Health Equity & Policy Partnerships, BMS Read Bio
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Shereen Nabhani-Gebara Chair, Research Committee, British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) Read Bio
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Patrick Michl Professor, Chair of Gastroenterology and Director of the Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Heidelberg Read Bio
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George Zaki Associate Vice President, South Eastern Europe Cluster Lead, MSD
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Arman Kacharian Head of the Innovations Expert Group, Ministry of Health of Ukraine
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Christopher Booth Director, Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston Canada & Common Sense Oncology initiative Read Bio
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Françoise Meunier Founder of European Initiative on Ending Discrimination against Cancer Survivors Read Bio
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Sandra Caldeira Deputy Head of Disease Prevention Unit, European Commission's Joint Research Centre Read Bio
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Saila Rinne Head of Sector - EU policies, DG CONNECT, Unit "eHealth, Well-Being and Ageing", European Commissi
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Francesco Pignatti Head of the Office of Oncology and Haematology in the Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA) Read Bio
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Zorana Jovanovic Andersen Chair of the Environment and Health Committee, European Respiratory Society and Professor, Section of Environmental Health, University of Copenhagen Read Bio
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Emilie Karafillakis European research lead at the Vaccine Confidence Project, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Read Bio
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Marta Cohen Consultant Pathologist and Head of Histopathology Department, Sheffield Children’s, NHS Foundation Trust Read Bio
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Gilly Spurrier-Bernard Patient Advocate, Melanoma Patients Network Europe, Co-Chair, Patient Advisory Committee, European Cancer Organisation
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Patrycja Rzadkowska Vice-Chair, Patient Advisory Committee, European Cancer Organisation; Pancreatic Cancer Europe
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Rachel Giles CEO, International Kidney Coalition, and Member, Patient Advisory Committee European Cancer Organisation Read Bio
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Alex Filicevas Executive Director, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and Member, Patient Advisory Committee, European Cancer Organisation
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Charles La Haye Founder, Sterk en Positief Foundation
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Carina Schneider Managing Director, Childhood Cancer International Europe & Cancer Survivor Read Bio
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Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti Co-Chair, Inequalities Network
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Torsten Blum Co-Chair, Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network
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Sarah Collen Co-Chair, Inequalities Network
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Csaba Dégi President-Elect, European Cancer Organisation and Co-Chair, Survivorship and Quality of Life Network
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Mirjam Crul Co-Chair, Workforce Network and Special Network: Impact of Covid-19 on Cancer
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Daniel Kelly Co-Chair, HPV Action Network
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Nevenka Krčevski Škvarč Co-Chair, Survivorship and Quality of Life Network
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Denis Lacombe Co-Chair, Health Systems and Treatment Optimisation Network
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Mark Lawler Co-Chair, Special Network: Impact of Covid-19 on Cancer
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Yolande Lievens Co-Chair, Health Systems and Treatment Optimisation Network
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Simon Oberst Co-Chair, Quality Cancer Care
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Wendy Oldenmenger Co-Chair, Workforce Network
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Wim Oyen Co-Chair, Digital Health Network
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Fedro Peccatori Co-Chair, Quality Cancer Care Network
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Beate Rau Co-Chair, Workforce Network
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Margaret Stanley Co-Chair, HPV Action Network
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Michael Oberreiter Head of Global Access, Roche
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Neil Datta Executive Director, European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights Read Bio
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Martin Fensch Vice-President, Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, Europe and Canada, Daiichi Sankyo Read Bio
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Irfan Lone Advisor for Policy and Communications, FEANTSA
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Sophie Schellack Research associate, German Cancer Society
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Dimitris Protogiros Cancer Nurse, Hellenic Ministry of Health
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Joanna Dodkins National Prostate Cancer Audit Clinical Research Fellow, The Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Christof Kastner Consultant Urologist & Clinical Director for Outpatients, Cambridge University Hospitals Read Bio
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
Registration closed
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
European Cancer Summit Programme
Developed in close collaboration with ECO's Focused Topic Networks, the Summit Report encapsulates the 12 Summit sessions, key takeaways, and memorable interventions from the panellists. It highlights the strong commitment of the cancer community to accelerate improvements in cancer care policy, leading to better patient outcomes.
Cancer won’t wait. Why should we?
Wednesday 15 November
8:00-8:45 |
Networking Breakfast |
8:45-9:00 |
Welcome to the European Cancer Summit |
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The Summit opens with an introduction from Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation with Winette van der Graaf and Kathy Oliver, European Cancer Summit Co-Chairs, looking ahead to the programme over the next two days. There will also be a look forward to the European Cancer Organisation’s Manifesto for the European Parliament elections, as well as the launch of the European Cancer Pulse 2.0 version. |
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9:00-10:00 |
Cancer Services in Crisis Situations |
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We now live an era of 'poly-crisis'. Pandemics, wars and conflicts, environmental catastrophes, and frayed public resources. Each can disrupt cancer research and care. However, now more than ever, there are technical means for countries, groups, and individuals to support one another, as we've seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the recent civil conflict situations in the European and neighbouring region. Our speakers and panellists will identify the lessons learned on delivering cancer research and care in crisis situations and improving readiness for mutual support. With Co-Chairs: Mirjam Crul and Mark Lawler, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. > This session will be streamed by London Global Cancer Week
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10:00-10:15 |
Networking Coffee |
10:15-11:30 |
Turning Up the Dial: Advancing the Elimination of HPV and Hep B Cancers |
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The goal of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to eliminate HPV cancers is galvanising collective action at European and national levels. We're seeing what can be achieved when goal-based cancer policy is reinforced by political, societal, and funding support. But the goal cannot be realised unless all countries implement gender-neutral HPV vaccination systems and robust screening and treatment policies. This session features recent success stories and pinpoints fresh opportunities for Europe to enhance its cooperation and mutual support. With HPV Action Network Co-Chair Daniel Kelly and including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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11:30-12:45 |
No Letting Up: The Next EU Agenda for Prevention, Early Detection and Screening |
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The largest, and most legislative, element of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan relates to prevention. The EU is now adopting bold proposals to tackle known contributors to cancer incidence – asbestos exposure, air quality, and workplace carcinogen exposure. Meanwhile, EU Member States have agreed on new EU Council Conclusions on cancer screening which are supported by a range of EU4Health projects. This session will examine the progress made and the elements missing. What aspects in the agenda could be addressed under the 2024-2029 European Commission? Will we see progress on food and alcohol labelling, and multi-cancer early detection? With Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network Co-Chairs Torsten Blum and Isabel Rubio, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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12:30-13:30 |
Young Cancer Professionals – Special Meeting in Madrid room |
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Current participants of our new Young Cancer Professionals group, plus anyone interested in joining, will meet with YCP Steering Committee members, ECO President Andreas Charalambous and ECO Board member Ajay Aggarwal to discuss the group’s mission, goals and future activities. A buffet lunch will also be available during this meeting. |
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12:45-13:30 |
Networking Lunch |
13:30-14:45 |
All Cancer Patients Equal: Achieving That Vision |
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The European Cancer Inequalities Registry and the European Cancer Pulse are providing precious new detail on inequalities in cancer care. With these data, however, comes the inescapable need for action. The European Cancer Organisation through its Inequalities Network has distilled the facts and has been exchanging with – and learning from – a wide range of affected communities. This session will present key findings and recommendations that, if implemented, can make Europe a global leader in combatting cancer inequality wherever it presents itself. With Inequalities Network Co-Chairs Sarah Collen and Nicolò Battisti, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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14:45-15:00 |
Networking Coffee |
15:00-16:15 |
Time To Accelerate: Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan & 2024 European Parliament Manifesto Launch |
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The initiation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Research Mission on Cancer have established firm foundations for further success in cross-border cooperation. Now it's time to accelerate the momentum! Following six months of consultation throughout the European cancer community, the European Cancer Organisation will unveil a manifesto for the European Parliamentary elections next year. Discover a range of specific recommendations on legislative opportunities, areas for fresh policy attention, and new scientific and political developments that need to be considered. This session will highlight how Europe can play a role in building critical infrastructures for international cancer cooperation. This session will be chaired by Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation and will include:
The session recording is now available here. |
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16:15-16:30 |
Networking Break |
16:30-17:45 |
The Next Generation of Cancer Leaders |
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Great advances, in any field, require strong leadership. As we look to the next twenty years of European cancer cooperation, this session will focus on the next generation of cancer care leaders. We are unabashedly proud of them. We become inspired by the energy, dedication, and fresh ideas they bring to the fight against cancer. They are not waiting to make their presence felt, as this session will demonstrate. With Co-Chairs Ajay Aggarwal and Andreas Charalambous, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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17:45-18:00 |
European Cancer Community Foundation Rising Star Grants |
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The first European Cancer Community Foundation Rising Star Grants will be announced by ECO President, Andreas Charalambous |
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18:00-20:00 |
Networking Reception & Poster Presentations |
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Reception supported by
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Thursday 16 November
8:00-9:00 |
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Networking Breakfast |
9:00-10:15 |
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Cancer Survivors Matter: Championing the European Cancer Survivorship Day and Advancing the Right to Be Forgotten |
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In cancer care, increasing survivorship comes with its own set of challenges. These include addressing the lasting physical and psycho-social impacts of the disease. The EU’s ‘Better Life for Cancer Patients Initiative’ is beginning to bear fruit. The creation of an EU Cancer Survivor Smartcard App (smartCARE), improving access to financial services after cancer, and reintegration into the workplace are all valuable initiatives. Guided by change-makers from the political, advocacy and scientific worlds, this session will highlight what more can be done: what are the legislative and non-legislative options that can make a meaningful difference? With Survivorship and Quality of Life Network Co-Chair and President-Elect Csaba Dégi, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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10:15-10:30 |
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Networking Coffee |
10:30-11:45 |
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Digital Health: A Powerful Ally in the Fight against Cancer |
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New digital tools can unlock exciting advances in every field of cancer care. But these opportunities come with their own set of challenges, including regulatory roadblocks and integrating different digital systems – within and between countries. Rapidly emerging technology also requires professional education to keep pace. This session will explore how to achieve a regulatory balance and where Europe must provide leadership to meet the real-life challenges in oncology. Current EU approaches, the European Health Data Space, and AI regulation will also come under the microscope. With Digital Health Network Co-Chair Wim Oyen, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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11:45-12:00 |
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Networking Coffee |
12:00-13:15 |
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Comprehensive Quality Cancer Care for All |
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The creation of an EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres may be one of the most enduring legacies of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. It is improving equal access to quality cancer care and introducing greater harmony in standards across Europe. The goal of providing 90% of eligible patients with comprehensive cancer care is already spurring countries where no pre-existing access to such models existed. What tools can help further accelerate advances? This session will highlight the role of ‘twinning’ cancer centres across borders, connecting the Network to countries neighbouring the EU, and the role of pre-existing tools such as centre accreditation programmes. With Quality Cancer Care Network Co-Chairs Simon Oberst and Fedro Peccatori. Including, on World Pancreatic Cancer Day, a focus on specific issues around pancreatic cancer and other quality cancer care topics.
The session recording is now available here. |
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12:30-13:30 |
Special Meeting of Ethnicity workstream of Inequalities Network in Madrid room |
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All delegates interested the topic of Ethnicity inequalities in cancer are welcome to attend this special meeting to exchange experience and plans for future work in this important area. The meeting will be chaired by ECO Board member Ajay Aggarwal. |
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13:15-14:00 |
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Networking Lunch |
13:45-14:45 |
HPV Action Now in Bulgaria, Romania & Croatia: Special Meeting in Madrid room |
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All delegates interested in our HPV Action Network and activities, currently focused in Bulgaria, Romania & Croatia are welcome to attend this special meeting to exchange experience and plans. |
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14:00-15:15 |
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Pragmatic Clinical Trials: A crucial building block for health systems and treatment ? |
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What are pragmatic clinical trials and how do they help optimise treatment and actually improve health systems? To what ends are pragmatic clinical trials already being applied in oncology, and what results can be shared? These are just some of the questions and issues to be explored with our panel of experts from across Europe and beyond. With Health Systems and Treatment Optimisation Network Co-Chairs Denis Lacombe and Yolande Lievens, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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15:15-15:30 |
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Networking Coffee |
15:30-16:45 |
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An Oncology Workforce in Crisis: They care for us. Do we care for them? |
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The current shortages within the healthcare workforce are having a profound impact on the dedicated men and women on the frontlines of cancer care in Europe. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pathologists – they are all struggling to cope. More and more report burnout, forcing them to leave their professions. Those who remain are given more responsibilities, larger caseloads, and ever-taller stacks of paperwork. Mistakes under these conditions are inevitable, and care is being compromised. This must stop, and it's up to us to help stop it. This session will discuss how. With Workforce Network Co-Chairs Mirjam Crul and Beate Rau, including speakers:
The session recording is now available here. |
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16:45-17:00 |
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Preview of INTERACT-EUROPE Showcase Event |
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A look forward to the next day’s Showcase event on INTERACT-EUROPE, a unique inter-specialty cancer training programme set to improve cancer care through cooperation.The INTERACT vision is all about bringing together oncology professionals across Europe, and providing them with the tools understand each other and work together to provide quality cancer care. The curriculum was developed alongside 33 organisations from 17 countries. Last month, our highly successful pilot workshops brought together over 40 oncology professionals (including medical oncologists, clinical oncologists, oncology surgeons, oncology radiologists and oncology nurses) in Lisbon to train and explore inter-disciplinary approaches to cancer treatment. This was only the beginning of our mission! The next phase is the new INTERACT-EUROPE 100 project which will continue the legacy of the project expanding to 100 selected cancer centres across Europe. Join us for the INTERACT-EUROPE Showcase Event to learn more about the takeaways of the project as well as explore future opportunities for pan-European inter-speciality cooperation. Registrations are free of charge and you can find out more from our CEO on this video. Speakers at this preview session include:
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17:00-17:15 |
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With thanks to our Volunteer Leaders |
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ECO pays tribute to volunteer leaders in the 2023-2024 mandate stepping down from their roles. |
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17:15-17:30 |
Looking back at this year’s Summit – and see you next year! |
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A look back at this year’s Summit highlights with Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation, Winette van der Graaf and Kathy Oliver, European Cancer Summit Co-Chairs. And put the dates for next year’s Summit in your diary – 20 & 21 November 2024! |
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17:30-19:00 |
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INTERACT-EUROPE Networking Reception |
Friday 17 November
09:00-14:00 |
INTERACT-EUROPE Showcase Event |
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
Our experts have selected 15 abstracts for the European Cancer Summit 2023, each of them connected to our Focused Topic Networks and priority areas within Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission recommendations.
Click here for more information on this year's selected abstracts. To learn more about the Young Cancer Professionals (YCP) group click here.
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
Showcase Event
Directly following the European Cancer Summit, we held the INTERACT-EUROPE showcase event: Pioneering the Future of Inter-Specialty Cancer Education: Breaking down barriers and uniting expertise.
On 17 November, we celebrated the development of this unique initiative and explored future opportunities. The event participants joined leaders in oncology, education, policy makers, cancer centre directors and politicians for panel discussions and in-depth exchanges on cancer training that transcends professional specialties or national borders.
This event was held in conjunction with the European Cancer Summit on 15 & 16 November 2023. Please find all details about the Summit here.
Find out more here.
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
Supporters of the European Cancer Summit
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Member Societies of the European Cancer Organisation -
Patient Advocacy Groups of the European Cancer Organisation -
Community 365 of the European Cancer Organisation -
Journal of Cancer Policy -
touchONCOLOGY -
Cancer World -
ecancer -
visit.brussels -
London Global Cancer Week
Speakers
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Stella Kyriakides European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
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Iliana Ivanova European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
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Petra De Sutter Deputy Prime Minister, Belgium
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Sara Cerdas MEP Rapporteur of Mental Health Report
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Dolors Montserrat MEP COVI Rapporteur and Former Spanish Health Minister
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Alessandra Moretti MEP Member, SANT Committee
