The European Cancer Summit 2026 will bring together healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and policymakers for an edition that reflects the urgency and ambition of our times. The discussions will be structured around four policy tracks, echoing this year’s theme.
- Advancing Cancer Prevention and Early Detection for a Healthier Europe: Prevention, early detection and screening are central to reducing the cancer burden and building a healthier, stronger Europe.
- Closing the Gaps in Cancer Care for a Fairer, More Equitable Europe: Ensuring all citizens can access high-quality, inclusive cancer care strengthens fairness and social cohesion across the continent.
- Enhancing Europe’s Cancer System Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty: Robust cancer systems are essential to maintaining care and protecting Europe’s stability, even in times of crisis.
- Cancer Research and Digital Innovation for a Competitive Europe: Leadership in research, innovation and digital technologies drives better outcomes and secures Europe’s position at the forefront of global cancer care.
This year's European Cancer Summit will be chaired by:
- Gilliosa Spurrier-Bernard, Board Member and Co-Chair, Patient Advisory Committee, European Cancer Organisation (ECO); Vice-President, Melanoma Patient Network Europe
- Wim Ceelen, Board Member, European Cancer Organisation (ECO); Professor of Surgical Oncology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
In the meantime, look back at the highlights of last year’s Summit with the European Cancer Summit Report 2025.
Developed in collaboration with ECO’s Focused Topic Networks, this report captures the key discussions, commitments and major publications unveiled during the Summit.
Registration closed
Call for Abstracts
Following the fourth year of abstract submissions in 2025 and the continued growth of the Young Cancer Professionals (YCP) group, we are pleased to announce the opening of this year’s European Cancer Summit abstract submission process, which will close on Friday, 31 July 2026 at 17:00 CEST.
Who can submit?
Abstract submissions are open to lead authors who are 40 years old or younger as of 15 November 2026 (and therefore eligible to join the ECO Young Cancer Professionals group). We particularly encourage lead author submissions from academics and junior clinicians. Submissions are welcome from eligible authors based preferably in Europe, but also internationally, with priority given to ECO Member Societies and their members.
Please note that applications to join the ECO Young Cancer Professionals group should be made separately by contacting ycp@europeancancer.org.
Why submit?
A maximum of 20 outstanding abstracts will be chosen for display in the Poster Exhibition at the Summit in Brussels on 18-19 November 2026, with authors invited to introduce their work during the event. From these, up to three will be selected to deliver a formal presentation at the European Cancer Summit. Only young cancer professionals listed as authors on the abstract submission will be eligible for a presentation.
Lead authors of (up to 20) selected abstracts will receive free registration for the Summit. All accepted abstracts will also be published on the ECO website and, after the Summit, in the Journal of Cancer Policy. Kindly note that travel and accommodation for finalist authors attending the Summit cannot be covered by ECO.
You can find the abstracts selected from the European Cancer Summit 2025 here.
Eligible topics
ECO is committed to delivering equitable and effective cancer care globally, translating the best evidence into policy and practice. Research abstracts must fit within our key Focused Topic Networks, which cover all priority areas of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and EU Cancer Mission recommendations.
The key categories are:
- Prevention, Early Detection & Screening
- HPV & Hep B Action
- Health Systems & Quality Cancer Care
- Survivorship & Quality of Life
- Digital Health
- Inequalities
- Workforce
- Research Policy
- Emergencies & Crises
Abstracts will be selected to ensure representation across all Focused Topic Networks.
Please note that abstracts focusing exclusively on clinical research fall outside the scope of the European Cancer Summit and will not be considered under this call.
Submission Guidelines
The abstract should be a maximum of 400 words (excluding the title and references) and must include the following subheadings:
1. Title in UPPER CASE
2. Background: Explain the importance, relevance, and existing knowledge gaps related to the subject.
3. Methods: Describe the research methods employed in the study.
4. Results: Present the findings and outcomes of the study. Only abstracts with final results available at the time of submission will be considered.
5. Conclusions and practical implementation: Draw conclusions based on the study results, including considerations for practical implementation.
6. References
Each abstract may include a maximum of one figure or table and up to three references. Authors must use this Word template to prepare their submission and email the completed document in PDF format to summitabstract@europeancancer.org. The file should be named as follows: Last name_First name_title.pdf. Submissions must include proper acknowledgement of authors and affiliations and specify one Focused Topic Network.
Abstracts do not need to be exclusive and may have been submitted to other events. Authors should ensure compliance with any rules regarding prior or simultaneous submissions to other conferences or publications.
Review process
Each abstract will be blindly reviewed by the Co-Chairs of the relevant Focused Topic Network and ECO board-appointed reviewers. Evaluation will follow the abstract scoring grid, which should be consulted along with the submission guidelines before finalising your abstract. Reviewers will use the scoring grid as a framework during evaluation.
Submission timeline
Please submit your abstract via email to summitabstract@europeancancer.org, indicating the Focused Topic Network selected. The deadline is Friday, 31 July 2026 at 17:00 CEST. Abstracts submitted after this time will not be accepted.
Lead authors will be notified in early October 2026 and, if selected, invited to present their work at the Summit in Brussels.
We encourage you to promote this opportunity to your members and contacts. Should you have any questions, please send us an email at summitabstract@europeancancer.org.
Celebrate the impact of INTERACT-EUROPE 100 and EUonQoL!
Directly following the European Cancer Summit, on 20 November and at the same venue, leaders in EU policy, oncology, and advocacy will meet for an in-depth discussion about two stellar EU-funded initiatives. These projects are key drivers of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission – providing powerful examples of collaboration across Europe:
European Conference on Inter-Speciality Cancer Training and Care: Advancing Collaboration, Skills and Person-Centred Care through INTERACT-EUROPE 100
Bringing together Europe’s oncology community at a pivotal moment, this conference will showcase the achievements of INTERACT-EUROPE 100 while charting the next phase of inter-speciality cancer training. It offers a unique opportunity to transform the programme’s success into lasting, system-wide adoption for better cancer care and outcomes.
Quality of Life and Cancer Policy Forum: Bridging Research, Practice and Policy-Making
This multi-stakeholder event marks the culmination of the EUonQoL project promoting quality of life in cancer care, with a strategic focus on policy translation and sustainability. It also serves as the multistakeholder event of the Quality of Life - Patient-Centred Care cluster of the EU Mission on Cancer, bringing together nine EU-funded projects for a joint high-level collaborative policy discussion.
