Accelerating action: European Parliament event to highlight hepatitis elimination as key to preventing liver cancer

Brussels, Belgium – 24 March 2026 – Policymakers, clinicians, patient advocates and public health experts gathered today at the European Parliament to discuss how eliminating viral hepatitis can dramatically reduce liver cancer across Europe.

Hosted by MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis, “Accelerating action: scaling up liver cancer prevention through hepatitis elimination in Europe” took place from 1:30pm to 3:00pm CET in Room Spinelli 5G305 at the European Parliament in Brussels, and simultaneously broadcast via livestream.

The event was organised by the World Hepatitis Alliance, in partnership with the European Cancer Organisation, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, and the European Liver Patients’ Association, and supported by AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention.

Liver cancer is currently the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Europe, with the majority of cases linked to viral hepatitis. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, fewer than 40% of people living with hepatitis in the EU/EEA have been diagnosed. Across the wider World Health Organization European Region, the gap is even wider: only around 30% of people with hepatitis have been diagnosed and fewer than 10% are receiving treatment.

Experts warn that urgent action is needed to turn the tide. Hepatitis elimination is widely recognised as one of the most effective strategies for preventing liver cancer.

"Every case of liver cancer caused by hepatitis that we fail to prevent is not a failure of science, but a failure to act. We know what works. Now we must scale it up." said MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis.

The event highlighted how existing policy frameworks, including Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, can support stronger action. The plan calls for the prevention of liver cancer through hepatitis B vaccination and treatment for hepatitis C.

Launched in December 2025 as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the SHIELD Joint Action (Strategies for Health Interventions to Eliminate Infection related Cancers) will receive almost EUR 20 million from the EU EU4Health programme and will work towards preventing infections that can lead to cancer – including hepatitis B and C.

The European Union has also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening prevention of noncommunicable diseases through the adoption of the UN Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases, which includes commitments to expand hepatitis testing, treatment and vaccination.

“To turn commitments into meaningful and transformative action we must first ensure that the affected community is at the heart of the response, it is only through co-creation and shared delivery that we will reach those most at need.” says Rachel Halford, Past President of the World Hepatitis Alliance.

The discussion focused on how to accelerate progress by embedding comprehensive hepatitis programmes into national cancer plans and ensuring adequate financing within the upcoming EU budget.

“With fewer than 40% of people living with hepatitis diagnosed in the EU, we are missing a critical opportunity to prevent one of the main factors of liver cancer. Scaling up testing, treatment and vaccination today is not just a public health priority, it is effectively one of the most effective cancer prevention strategies available to us.” said Patrizia Carrieri, Co-Chair of the ECO HPV and Hep B Action Network.

The programme featured expert perspectives on the link between hepatitis and liver cancer, disparities in the hepatitis C response across Europe, and the financing challenges facing cancer prevention programmes.

Speakers included:

• MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis (Host)
• MEP Romana Jerković, Croatia
• MEP Nikos Papandreou, Greece 
• Professor Dr Christoph Boesecke, Senior Physician, University of Bonn, Germany
• Professor Maria Buti, Professor of Medicine and Consultant of Hepatology, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Spain
• Patrizia Carrieri, Policy and Public Health Committee Member, European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and Co-chair, European Cancer Organisation (ECO)’s HPV and Hep B Action Network
• Ivana Dragojevic, Vice-President and Treasurer, European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA)
• Rachel Halford, Past President, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA)
• Matthias Pinter, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
• Richard Price, Policy Director, ECO
• Stuart Smith, Director of Community Services, Hepatitis C Trust

Through expert presentations, panel discussions and audience engagement, the event aimed at raising awareness among Members of the European Parliament and stakeholders about the critical link between hepatitis and liver cancer and identify concrete steps to accelerate hepatitis elimination across Europe.

By strengthening testing, treatment and vaccination efforts, and ensuring sustained investment through the EU budget, Europe has a major opportunity to prevent thousands of cases of liver cancer and save lives.

The full agenda for the event can be read at worldhepatitisalliance.org/news/european-parliament