We often see sad headlines about cancer becoming the second leading cause of death worldwide. About 1.3 million people died in the EU in 2020.1 Yet, we often forget that the science to beat cancer is progressing at an unprecedented pace.
Cancer screening and more effective treatment have contributed to reducing death rates, and new techniques such as liquid biopsy and some early-stage interventions will likely fuel this trend. Between 2012 and 2018 alone, more than 118 cancer drugs across 164 indications were approved in Europe.2
This progress allows us to envision an optimistic future where cancer is detected and treated sooner, giving everyone the greatest chance possible to live cancer-free. From this point of view, ‘early’ cancer care – early detection, including screening and diagnosis, and early treatment, timely referral and access to care – is critical.
Between 2012 and 2018 alone, more than 118 cancer drugs across 164 indications were approved in Europe.
Time to prioritize ‘beginners’
Thanks to new detection methods, cancers such as breast and prostate are increasingly diagnosed, but the overall picture remains mixed. In other cancers, such as lung, colorectal, or pancreatic, most patients have an advanced stage of disease at initial diagnosis.3
Cancer patients have the best chance of becoming and staying cancer-free when diagnosed and treated early: 98 percent of breast cancer patients diagnosed at an early stage will live five or more years, compared with only 26 percent at most. the diagnosis is made. advanced stage.4 90 percent of patients with lung cancer will survive at least one year if diagnosed in stage one, but only 20 percent will survive if diagnosed in stage four.5 Proposed Council recommendations on cancer screening – in particular, to improve existing programs for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer while expanding screening for lung, prostate and gastric cancer – to take into account the latest clinical and technological advances represent a step in the right direction.
‘Early’ cancer care – early detection including screening and diagnosis, and early treatment including timely referral and access to care – is critical.
Health care systems need to be ready
As science and technology develop, health care systems must evolve at the same pace. Redirecting patient pathways, health care funding, and health management toward early cancer care will not only save more lives, but also reduce the need for high-cost, later-stage treatments, as well as reduce recurrence and cancer costs. Will prove effective- related symptoms. Even when health care budgets are increased, governments that prioritize early cancer care can maintain a stable level of health care expenditure on cancer while improving survival rates.
98 percent of breast cancer patients will live five or more years if diagnosed at an early stage.
knowledge is power
People’s ability to access and understand health information – their health literacy – plays an important role in their health outcomes. People who get tested when they see a possible symptom and who feel confident in evaluating all their care options are more likely to make informed health decisions.
Even when health care budgets are increased, governments that prioritize early cancer care can maintain a stable level of health care expenditure on cancer while improving survival rates.
Improving cancer literacy will help increase patients’ understanding of new technologies and medical conditions, leading to better management of their own health. In this effort, we must recognize the specific cultural, linguistic, and social factors that influence individuals and communities. In other words, health coaching needs to meet them where they are.
Europe’s Beating Cancer plan is just the beginning
Europe’s Beating Cancer plan and the Mission on Cancer have generated momentum towards better and more equitable cancer care. We – policymakers in health and finance, health care professionals, patient advocacy groups and the private sector – have much to do to reach a consensus on early cancer care. We are thrilled to see this consensus emerge at the recent European Cancer Forum in Brussels.
In the meantime, we cannot relax. I hope that the combined commitment and collective action in the Beating Cancer Plan to be reviewed by the European Commission by the end of 2024 will make early cancer care a greater focus and a fundamental priority.
[1] European Cancer Information System, Cancer incidence and mortality estimates in 2020, all countries; Accessed November 2022
[2] Hofmacher, T. et al. (2019) Comparative report on cancer in Europe 2019, IHE Reports 2019:7. IHE: Lund, Sweden
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021), Incidence and relative survival by stage at diagnosis for common cancers, Accessed November 2022
[4] Cancer Research UK, breast cancer statistics, Accessed November 2022
[5] Cancer Research UK, Why is early diagnosis important?, Accessed November 2022