United Against Cancer: Driving Policy and Advocacy at the European Cancer Summit 2024
Belgium-based part of the DiCE team was happy to be able to attend the European Cancer Summit 2024, hosted by the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), which convened key stakeholders across the cancer community under the theme United Against Cancer: Forging New Frontiers. This event explored innovative strategies to address inequalities and advance cancer care across Europe, aligning closely with Digestive Cancers Europe’s (DiCE) mission to champion early diagnosis and equitable access to care for digestive cancer patients.
Central to the discussions were disparities in cancer screening, with a stark focus on the gaps in access for marginalised populations, including ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. As Europe’s leading advocate for digestive cancer patients, DiCE is committed to tackling these disparities through initiatives such as our Colorectal Cancer Screening Summit and advocacy for harmonised, EU-wide screening guidelines. With screening being a cornerstone of colorectal cancer prevention, DiCE supports the EU’s goal of achieving 90% screening coverage by 2025 and stresses the need for policy alignment across Member States to reach this target.
The Summit also highlighted the ongoing workforce crisis, with over half of oncology professionals reporting stress and burnout due to increasing workloads. This challenge threatens the resilience of Europe’s cancer care systems. DiCE echoes ECO’s call for urgent reforms, recognising that a robust oncology workforce is essential for delivering high-quality care.
Moreover, the discussions on the “right to be forgotten” for cancer survivors align with DiCE’s advocacy for equitable policies that reduce stigma and improve the quality of life for digestive cancer patients and survivors. The Summit reaffirmed the importance of organisations like DiCE in shaping policies to close care gaps, enhance screening efforts, and support systemic changes for better patient outcomes. Together, we can turn these discussions into actionable solutions for a healthier, more equitable future.
Ivan Ratkovic
