Cancer Patients Europe Annual Meeting

Cancer Patients Europe (CPE) held its Annual Meeting in Brussels on June 25, 26 and 27, 2025, bringing together patient advocates, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers from across Europe. The two-day event focused on embedding equity into cancer care strategies and amplifying patient voices in both policy and practice. On June 25, a Policy Forum was held at the European Parliament, where discussions centred on how to integrate the principle of equity into EU-wide cancer control frameworks. The forum provided a space for dialogue between members of the European Parliament, civil society, and patient representatives. A networking reception followed, allowing participants to exchange ideas and strengthen collaborations. On June 26, the main conference took place under the theme “Equity in Action.” Sessions addressed disparities in access to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship support. Participants examined the socio-economic, regional, and cultural barriers faced by patients and worked toward concrete strategies to address them. Workshops and panels also highlighted the importance of including patient experiences in shaping national cancer plans. Throughout the event, Cancer Patients Europe emphasised the urgent need to recognise and act on the diverse realities of patients across Europe. The meeting concluded with a call for continued commitment to equity and the launch of initiatives aimed at addressing structural inequalities, including a survey on cancer-related malnutrition across the continent. Being a full member of CPE, ELPA attended also the Annual General Assembly on June 27.