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EuropaColon has expanded to become Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE). The Organisation will give a voice to people living with all types of digestive cancers (including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer and rare gastrointestinal cancers). If you are a patient with a digestive cancer, we are here for you.

If you are a stakeholder working to fight against digestive cancers, we want to work with you!

Here, two of the founders of Digestive Cancers Europe explain why they decided to expand the focus from EuropaColon to all digestive cancers and why they are so passionate about achieving its ambitious goals.

Why have you created Digestive Cancers Europe with an expanded focus on all digestive cancers?

Jola Gore-Booth (Executive Director of DiCE and Founder/CEO of EuropaColon):

I'm so proud of what we have achieved with EuropaColon for patients with colorectal cancer over the last 14 years and I believe we can replicate and build on that even further for patients with all types of digestive cancer.

EuropaColon has established an incredible platform - we have set up alliances with patient organisations, politicians and physicians all over Europe. We now have an opportunity to utilise these networks to make sure that the voices of all patients with all types of digestive cancers are heard in every country in Europe. We can make a real difference for patients.

Stefan Gijssels (Executive Director of DiCE and EuropaColon):

Simply put, together we are stronger. I was a cancer patient myself so I know just how valuable it can be to talk to a wide range of different people, particularly other patients. I also know just how much the standards and availability of care can vary between countries, towns and individual hospitals.

I was lucky enough to be treated in one of the finest hospitals in Europe, with a high success rate in treating colorectal cancer. Now I am extremely passionate that every single person in Europe should have that same standard of care, regardless of where they live or their personal situation. If that happens, hundreds of thousands of lives can be saved every year.

What do you hope Digestive Cancers Europe can achieve?

Jola:

Too many people with digestive cancers are dying unnecessarily. We want to save and improve lives by campaigning for better access to screening, treatment, care and support for patients and their families who have been diagnosed with digestive cancers. It is our goal that by 2028 we will have saved an extra 250,000 lives per year.

Stefan:

We can also provide real value for patients during their journey fighting cancer. I understand only too well how patients can feel isolated as they find themselves navigating through difficult-to-understand medical systems. Patient organisations like ours can provide coaching, advice, psychological support, carer and family support, practical support, and access to hundreds of other people who are going through the same thing. It is never nice hearing a diagnosis of cancer but there is a whole community here to help you.

What will happen to the EuropaColon name?

Jola:

EuropaColon will still remain as a brand in its own right for any meetings or initiatives focused specifically on colorectal cancer. But we see most of our work being conducted under the banner of Digestive Cancers Europe, as we think it through this wider lens that we can make the biggest difference.

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