Women and Cancer

A new workstream of the European Cancer Organisation - Get Involved!

Every year more than 1.2 women are diagnosed with cancer in the European Union, with nearly 600,000 losing their lives. As of now, the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) reports that 12 million women in Europe are living with cancer.

The policy challenges connected to this are wide, multifaceted and pressing. The European Cancer Organisation, its members and community want to play a role in addressing such challenges, and we invite your contributions!

As part of ECO’s Inequalities Network, the Women and Cancer workstream looks to address the unique inequities faced by women who experience a cancer diagnosis, women working in the cancer sector, and women who provide care to persons with cancer. The workstream is bringing together stakeholders from across the European cancer community and beyond to promote issues such as:

  • More effective and gender-sensitive approaches to cancer prevention, including fair and equal access to HPV vaccination;
  • High performance cancer screening for women in all European countries;
  • Improving response to gender-related psychological and sexual hardships;
  • Combatting financial toxicity and workplace discrimination associated to the female experience of cancer;
  • Acknowledging the essential societal and economical role played by women caregivers; and,
  • Supporting female empowerment in cancer care, research , policy and governance.

In developing this workstream we are inviting contributions, perspectives and experience from the wide range of persons touched by cancer, working in the cancer sector and beyond. It will support other ECO Networks where appropriate.

To connect further with this workstream and find out more please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Workstream Co-Chairs

Women and Cancer co chairs 1