European Cancer Summit 2024 Session: Together Against Cancer in a Time of Crisis Organised by the Emergencies and Crises Network

Manifesto on Improving Cancer Care in Conflict-Impacted Populations

The Emergencies and Crises Network acts as a vital platform where cancer professionals and patient advocates can exchange ideas, learn from past emergencies, and propose best practices – quickly. Prof Mark Lawler, Co-Chair of the Emergencies and Crises Network, and Prof Andreas Charalambous, Past President of the European Cancer Organisation, are amongst a group of international experts publishing the 'Improving Cancer Care in Conflict-Impacted Populations' manifesto in The Lancet.

Network members convened for an emergency meeting triggered by last month's Russian missile strike on Kyiv's Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital. In light of the approaching release of the Manifesto, the agenda included how to address immediate challenges in patient care as well as firsthand accounts from healthcare professionals and patient representatives working in conflict zones.

More about the manifesto from Mark Lawler, Co-Chair of the Emergencies and Crises Network:

Background

In recent years, challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have underscored the unpredictability of crises and the importance of global collaboration within the cancer community to respond accordingly. Our ability to withstand future challenges depends on the preparedness and resilience of our healthcare systems.

To that end, the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) has created a new Focused Topic Network on Emergencies and Crises. This initiative ensures a robust forum for cancer professionals and patient advocates to learn together from past challenges and apply the most effective approaches going forward.  It will help the cancer community better respond to the urgent needs of patients by minimising disruptions to cancer care and fostering stronger collaboration among oncology centres across Europe.  

This new network will build on the experience gained from two previous networks.

• Special Network: Impact of Covid-19 on Cancer

Initiatives included:

• Time To Act Campaign: Don't let Covid-19 Stop You from Tackling Cancer;
• Data Navigator - New Functionalities and More Tumour Types; and
• publication of A 7-Point Plan to Address the Urgency and Build Back Better.

• ECO-ASCO Special Network: Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer

Initiatives included:

• sharing intelligence, experience, contacts;
• offering support and connecting organisations and people eager to help;
• populating onco-help.org and amplifying the work being done; and
• informing our advocacy and policy work with the WHO and EU Commission.

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