Making a Difference with Research
Research is integral to so much of ECO’s work. Not only do we champion evidence-based policymaking (policy research), but we also foster support for research initiatives throughout the whole cancer pathway (research policy). This is why we’ve invested our efforts into strengthening the European Cancer Pulse on a regular basis and also recently launched the ‘Research Policy’ Network, which explores policy priorities for European cancer research and innovation policy at large.
Here's just some of what we have been up to in recent months regarding research-related activities.
As part of the campaign ‘Time To Accelerate for our Workforce’, ECO along with 13 of our Member Societies and representatives of the Young Cancer Professionals group surveyed healthcare professionals. By evaluating working conditions and quality of life for those on the front line of cancer care throughout Europe, we hope to improve available national data for different cancer disciplines and professions, and model the impact of working conditions on the future cancer workforce.
The survey received almost 1,000 responses from health professionals across Europe. ECO would like to thank everybody who contributed, either by taking part in the survey, sharing it though their network or helping develop it in the first place. This joint effort will now allow us to work with our expert group to analyse the results, ahead of their publication in the autumn.
This data will also feed into the European Cancer Pulse, helping to identify and quantify inequalities in the workforce between countries.
Another key example of ECO sharing data to inform policy and decision making is our ongoing series of European Cancer Pulse Country Reports. These one-page factsheets are available in several langauges and include data about the state of cancer care in a particular country compared to Europe as a whole.
Research policy
Ambitious research is essential to turn the tide against cancer, allowing more effective innovations in diagnosis and treatment to benefit patients and societies. This is a key aspect of the European Cancer Roadmap to 2030, which calls on policymakers to refresh Europe's Beating Cancer Plan for new developments in science throughout the whole cancer care journey.
But how do we safeguard the quality of findings and the funding opportunities that enable innovation?
ECO’s Research Policy Network launched earlier this year. Its Co-Chairs, Christine Chomienne and Giuseppe Curigliano, facilitated the first Network meeting at the start of this month. We thank all those who joined for their valuable input, which will form the basis of the Network’s work going forward.
For the meeting, the Network Co-Chairs provided presentations on the EU Cancer Mission and cancer clinical research across Europe. Manuel Heitor, Chair of the Expert Group on the Future of Horizon Europe set up by the European Commission, warmly encouraged our new Network to get involved in the Expert Group’s work and support strong EU research policies moving forward.
The next Network meeting will take place on Tuesday 22 October. Please
We also look forward to exploring this important topic further at the European Cancer Summit.
Would you like to know more about ECO’s research activities and how our output could help your activities? Feel free to
