European Week Against Cancer

Cancer and other chronic diseases are interrelated and share common elements, notably common preventable risk factors. Further, cancer-related complications and co-morbidities represent a significant burden on patients across Europe.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is an important policy framework to address a significant health challenge and the second cause of death in the EU: cancer. Beyond, the Plan has also the potential to generate long-lasting effects and benefits to other chronic disease patients.

ECDA’s key messages:

• The Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan must be of relevance to all chronic diseases: an integrated and holistic approach to co-morbidities is crucial for its success. The Plan should be focused yet sufficiently bold to add value across disease areas.
• Prevention must be at the heart. Over 40% of cancer cases are preventable; many deaths from other major chronic diseases across Europe are also eminently preventable and they share common and preventable risk factors.

Launched during the European Week Against Cancer 2020, ECDA position paper provides the perspectives of the chronic disease community on the four areas of the Plan, as well as important aspects with regards to research and data collection. It also includes broader considerations for the success of the Plan.

In the annexes, further evidence on the correlation between cancer and other major chronic diseases is provided.

Read the full position paper here.