Europe

UICC's support in the European region

Current and future opportunities in the region

The 2021 European virtual roundtable series took place in partnership with the Dutch Cancer Society and included three virtual roundtables where CEOs and senior executives of cancer organisations across Europe discussed challenges, lessons and opportunities as the European cancer community emerges and adapts through the long tail of COVID-19.

Following on from the roundtable discussion on the cancer research landscape in Europe, a series of virtual workshops took place in April, May and August 2022 further discuss and identify possible next steps and key actions. 48 leaders of European cancer organisations and research institutes participated in these discussions, and related interviews. The discussions highlighted the particular need for investment in implementation research for cancer prevention, in line with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and its Mission on Cancer.

As a result, at the World Cancer Congress in 2022, UICC, KWF, the Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden), the Danish Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) launched a collaborative initiative entitled ‘Reimagining Cancer Research in Europe’, focused upon leveraging the potential of cancer prevention to reduce the burden of cancer in the region. To date, the initiative has received over two million Euros in contributions. As part of this initiative, a new grants programme for implementation research for cancer prevention in Europe will be launched, which will support the scale-up of existing evidence-based interventions for cancer prevention into health system policies and practices in Europe.

The initiative remains open to partners interested to contribute.

For any questions or further information, please contact UICC to discuss by emailing fellows@uicc.org

The Dutch Cancer Society is a nation-wide organization for cancer control in the Netherlands. The society was funded in 1949 by Queen Wilhelmina. Her granddaughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix, is the current patron. The Dutch Cancer Society’s ideal world is one in which nobody dies from cancer ever again. We want fewer people to get cancer, more people to cure, and patients to have a better quality of life, during and after the disease. That’s why we fund and facilitate scientific research, influence policy, and share our knowledge about cancer and its treatment. To make this possible, we raise funds and establish links with other parties involved in cancer control, both here in the Netherlands and elsewhere. The Dutch Cancer Society is entirely dependent on community involvement and donations. Over 100.000 volunteers support the Dutch Cancer Society whether it comes to local or nation-wide fundraising, scientific or policy advice in several councils and committees. We can rely on nearly 1.500 local committees that organize fundraising activities e.g. our annual door-to-door campaign to raise funds for the fight against cancer. The Dutch Cancer Society is supported by over 1 million donors. The Dutch Cancer Society’s office is located in Amsterdam; our professional staff amounts to 198 staff members.

Founded in 1951 to support cancer research, the Swedish Cancer Society is an independent non-profit organization with the vision of finding cures for cancer. The overall aim of the Society is to achieve a higher survival rate and a reduction in the incidence of cancer. Their main task is to raise and distribute money for cancer research. As one of the largest financiers of cancer research in Sweden, the Swedish Cancer Society essentially acts as a national research council. Thanks to the organization’s extensive knowledge about cancer, the Swedish Cancer Society is also active in areas such as public opinion and spreading knowledge about cancer, as well as results of cancer research.

Danish Cancer Society aims to prevent the development of cancer, to improve patients' chances of successful recovery, to limit the physical, psychological and social side-effects of cancer.

The group`s main activities are within research, patient support and prevention. The society has recently begun to focus on wellness programs like: health, food, and biotech advances.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization. Its mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control.

UICC staff brainstorming around the table

With over 1,150 members from 172 countries and territories across all regions, UICC recognises that all members have a unique combination of challenges and needs depending on their many different organisational models, contexts and cultures.

Regional focus