World Cancer Day 2022. Closing the Care Gap: Europe Can Show the Way

On the occasion of World Cancer Day 2022 (4 February), Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation, shared views and comments upon the theme of the occasion, “Close the Care Gap”:

“Inequity in cancer care should not be tolerated. We provide for inequity by the policy choices we do and don’t make. As a global cancer community there is so much more to be done to spread high quality cancer control and care more evenly. Its therefore important that we all take this shared moment for reflection to consider what is in our power to make a difference.

At the European Cancer Organisation, we are delighted by the energy and ideas that have been such a part of our Inequalities Network. Through that Network we have been pleased to have embarked on very productive exchanges with the European Commission, OECD, the WHO, IARC, ASCO and many others on joint working to combat inequalities.

The launch just yesterday of the EU’s Cancer Inequalities Registry is one such initiative which our Network has been sharing advice upon, and it will be exciting to its breadth and impact grow as partners such as OECD and IARC contribute to its further development.

We need this deeper understanding of inequalities and inequities to effectively prioritise policy response and intervention. Other elements of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, such as the Health Literacy for Prevention and Care project and the creation of a new EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres, also have an active and important role to play.

We can all play our own role in respect to matters such as improving health literacy. Tools such as the European Code Against Cancer and the European Code of Cancer Practice have been designed to be readily shareable and easily communicated to friends, acquaintances and the general public. Developed by patients and healthcare professionals, the European Code of Cancer Practice, aims to empower patients and encourage all cancer services to increase their patient-centred approach.

So raise your voice for health and cancer equity. Play your role. Give thought and attention to what more you and your organisation could do to accelerate the achievement of a more equitable future for cancer care.”