Women & Cancer: Launch of the Policy Index

As the European Commission prepares its new Gender Equality Strategy and negotiations begin on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of women’s health policy and funding across Europe.

 

Against this backdrop, the European Cancer Organisation is launching the Women & Cancer Policy Index. This tool compares how European countries are addressing cancer among women, from prevention to survivorship, caregiving to leadership.

The launch forms part of ECO’s Reach Higher for Cancer Care campaign, providing new evidence to support sustained investment, stronger coordination and reduced inequalities in cancer care across Europe.

The event will take place on:

Tuesday, 17 March

10:30 to 12:00 CET

European Parliament (Room Spinelli 3H1)

17 March 2026 10:30 - 12:00 CET

European Parliament (Room Spinelli 3H1)
Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles (Physical attendance only)

WC event page copy 3

Today, 12 million women in Europe are living with cancer. Despite better policies today, gender inequalities persist in access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support.

The upcoming EU Gender Equality Strategy for 2026-2030 and the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 present a critical opportunity to position women’s cancer more centrally within both equality and health policy frameworks.

 

Speakers

  • Romana Jerković Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)
  • Isabel Rubio European Cancer Organisation - President
  • Andrea Manzano The Swedish Institute for Health Economics
  • Norbert Couespel European Cancer Organisation - Policy Research & EU Projects Manager

Speakers

  • Romana Jerković Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)
  • Isabel Rubio European Cancer Organisation - President
  • Andrea Manzano The Swedish Institute for Health Economics
  • Norbert Couespel European Cancer Organisation - Policy Research & EU Projects Manager
  • Romana Jerković Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)
  • Isabel Rubio European Cancer Organisation - President Read Bio
  • Andrea Manzano The Swedish Institute for Health Economics Read Bio
  • Norbert Couespel European Cancer Organisation - Policy Research & EU Projects Manager

Speakers

  • Romana Jerković Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)
  • Isabel Rubio European Cancer Organisation - President
  • Andrea Manzano The Swedish Institute for Health Economics
  • Norbert Couespel European Cancer Organisation - Policy Research & EU Projects Manager

WOMEN & CANCER: LAUNCH OF THE POLICY INDEX

Tuesday 17 March – 10:30 to 12:00 – European Parliament (Room Spinelli 3H1)

 

10:45 – 10:50 | Opening Remarks

 

Romana Jerković MEP, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)

 

 

 

10:50 – 10:57 | Keynote address: Advancing women’s health under the Commission’s new Gender Equality Strategy for 2026-2030

 

 

 

 

 

10:57 – 11:05 | Keynote address: Building the case for ECO’s Women and Cancer Index

 

Isabel Rubio, President of the European Cancer Organisation & Co-chair of the Women & Cancer Workstream.
 

 

 

11:05 – 11:15 | What the data reveals about Women and Cancer in Europe

 

Norbert Couespel, Policy Research & EU Projects Manager, European Cancer Organisation

Paola-Anna Erba, President of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine & Co-chair of the Women & Cancer Workstream

 

 

 

11:15- 11:35 | What the data reveals about Women and Cancer in Europe

 

 

 

 

 

11:35 – 11:45 | The case for investment in Women cancers (IHE report)

 

Andrea Manzano, The Swedish Institute for Health Economics
     

11:45 – 11:55 | Q&A

    
     

11:55 – 12:00 | Closing Remarks

  

Romana Jerkovic MEP, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)

Speakers

  • Romana Jerković Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)
  • Isabel Rubio European Cancer Organisation - President
  • Andrea Manzano The Swedish Institute for Health Economics
  • Norbert Couespel European Cancer Organisation - Policy Research & EU Projects Manager

Speakers

  • Romana Jerković Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Health (SANT)
  • Isabel Rubio European Cancer Organisation - President
  • Andrea Manzano The Swedish Institute for Health Economics
  • Norbert Couespel European Cancer Organisation - Policy Research & EU Projects Manager