Addressing women’s cancer rights in the next European gender equality agenda

 In her Mission Letter to Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib, President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen called for a Roadmap for Women’s Rights to be unveiled on International Women’s Day 2025. This roadmap is set to lay the groundwork for a new Gender Equality Strategy beyond 2025, with discrimination in health finally recognised as a critical issue.

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death for women in the European Union. And each year additional, 1.2 million women are diagnosed with the disease, on top of the estimated 12 million living with it. However, cancer doesn’t just affect those who are diagnosed. It also impacts the families and the caregivers. The call for action has never been more urgent.

In advance of International Women’s Day, the European Cancer Organisation calls for five essential cancer rights for women to be recognised in the EU’s gender equality agenda:

1. The Right to Access HPV Vaccination - Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers, yet over 30,000 women in Europe are diagnosed with the disease each year . Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is working to eliminate human papillomavirus (HPV) by ensuring at least 90% of girls are vaccinated by 2030. Universal access to HPV vaccination must be guaranteed. No woman or girl should face a preventable cancer.
2. The Right to Access Screening – In 2021 in the EU, 83% of Danish women aged 50 to 69 years old engaged in breast cancer screening, compared to 20,6% in Bulgaria . A similar gap exists for cervical cancer: in 2022, screening rates reached 78,8% in Sweden, while only 10,9% of women in Poland were screened. Access to breast and gynaecological cancer screening, conducted according to EU guidelines, must be recognised as an undisputed women’s right.
3. The Right to Access Fertility Treatment - It has been estimated that 70% of cancer survivors are interested in parenthood, yet that 80% of them are affected by reduced fertility . Every woman should have the right to access personalised fertility care. All women should also be counselled on fertility preservation, empowering them to make informed decisions about their cancer treatment and reproductive future.
4. The Right to be Recognised and Protected in Your Carer Role - Women’s earnings remain 12.7% lower than men’s, leaving 32 million women caregivers across Europe at heightened risk of poverty. The EU must ensure adequate support, legal protections, and social security rights for women caregivers.
5. The Right to Equality in the Oncology Workplace – Women make up 70% of the healthcare workforce, yet they earn 20% less than their male colleagues. National health ministries, professional societies and universities should establish targets and strategies to achieve gender equality, including equal leadership opportunities.