Comprehensive Cancer Centres: The Foundation for Beating Cancer Plan and Cancer Mission Success

With forthcoming Autumn meetings of the Commission, Member States and Parliament on implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the European Cancer Organisation and Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) have this morning published a fresh consensus policy paper: Comprehensive Cancer Care Across the EU: Advancing the Vision.

The policy paper provides essential points of advance on implementing the commitment of the European Commission to develop a new EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres and meet an objective of 90% of eligible cancer patients achieving access to such Centres by 2030.

The policy paper was developed with the participation of 21 healthcare professional organisations, nine patient organisations and other organisations involved in the European Cancer Organisation’s Quality Cancer Care Network, and aims to inform the important implementation decision-making now required to help achieve the EU’s bold goals on Comprehensive Cancer Care.

Key points of recommendation in the paper include:

• Ensuring precise objectives are put in place for the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. The paper recommends these to be:

a) reducing inequalities of diagnosis, treatment and care, and access to clinical trials
b) strengthening the quality of translational, clinical and outcomes research
c) integrating clinical care and research and evaluating the quality of cancer care throughout

• Accompanying implementation of the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres with clear mapping and needs analysis
  
  
• Providing early attention to key mechanics of the new Network, including the development of new Comprehensive Cancer Centres in countries where these are not present, and the integration of general hospitals and primary care providers within comprehensive cancer care networks (CCCNs)
  
  
• Urging a strong focus on the scientific mission of the new EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres, including the conduct of impactful research at both translational, clinical and outcomes research level

The full paper can be read here.

Speaking on the paper’s publication, Prof Thierry Philip, President of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) said:

“When it comes to the quality of cancer care we are all partners. Every one of us wishes the best available care for any person who experiences a diagnosis of cancer, informed by the latest research. This is why the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) has been pleased to work with the Quality Cancer Care Network of the European Cancer Organisation to have a broad conversation and reflections on the key needs and aspirations of all stakeholders. 

As the EU embarks on the exciting project of constructing an EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres, it is important that the cancer community defines their purpose and objectives clearly, so that Europe makes best use of our comprehensive skills and resources to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure cancer. We hope our policy paper assists in this respect”.

Supporting Professor Philip’s remarks, Dr Matti Aapro, President of the European Cancer Organisation (E.C.O.) said:

“One of the many very admirable parts of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is the attention it gives to the fundamental infrastructure that underpins quality cancer care. Alongside workforce needs, this also includes how we organise cancer care. The Plan points to the successful model of comprehensive cancer centres as an approach to be more widely adopted.

The goal of 90% of eligible patients in the EU benefitting from access to such centres is not something we pursue for its own end, but because this is a powerful means to combat inequalities in cancer care, strengthen the quality of cancer care, and boost our shared research endeavours. We are all excited to have the chance to work with the Commission, Member States and others to make sure this will be the case. We trust the consensus reflections from the cancer community that we publish today will assist.”