European Region (EUR)

Despite attempts in Europe to tackle the impact of alcohol on health, the amount of alcohol consumed by EU countries is higher than the rest of the world and the incidence of many alcohol related digestive cancers is on the increase. It is, therefore, time for a change. We urgently require a focused multi-dimensional approach from policy and decision makers at both European and national levels to dramatically increase public and healthcare professional awareness of the dangers of alcohol, as well as to implement further strategies across the region to reduce alcohol intake and the resulting incidence of digestive cancers.

The present policy paper is a deliverable of the CanCon Joint Action Member State Platform Work Package. In this framework, an Expert Group on National Cancer Control Programmes was established with the task to carry out and analyse a survey regarding NCCPs in Europe in 2016 and to prepare a report and policy paper. The survey report identified the main shortcomings regarding NCCPs in Europe. Standards from the previously published European Guide for Quality National Cancer Control Programmes were used to identify these shortcomings. This policy paper and its recommendations are meant to serve as an aid for policymakers who wish to improve their cancer control policies.

Five Cancon Policy papers aim at positioning cancer control into planning processes of the Member states. The Policy papers are aimed at the decision makers in the governments and in the EU.  

The five Cancon Policy papers:

1. A Public health genomics approach to “omics” in oncology,

2. Common European objectives for National Cancer Control Plans, 

3. Enhancing value of cancer care through a more appropriate use of health care interventions, 

4. An impact evaluation system to assess prevention outcomes, and
5. A Equity mainstreaming in the cancer control in Europe.

Cancon Guide is the main delivery of the joint action. The Guide aims to help to reduce not only the cancer burden throughout the EU but also the inequalities in cancer control and care that exist between Member states. The Guide is meant for governments, parliamentarians, health care providers and funders, and cancer care professionals at every level.

The Guide is a coherent, patientcentered document and a key strategic tool for governments and policy makers. 

Chapters:

1. Introduction (incl. abbreviations and list of contributors),
2. Context, summary and appraisal,
3. Methods and quality assurance,
4. Cancer screening (Cancon WP 9),
5. Integrated cancer control (Cancon WP 6), 
6. Community-level cancer care (Cancon WP 7), and
7. Survivorship and rehabilitation (Cancon WP 8)