CANCON STAKEHOLDER FORUM – “Promoting quality in cancer control: different dimensions, compelling challenges”, Rome, 15th – 16th September 2016.

2016-10-10

Uroš Rakić, PhD - independent advisor at National Cancer Screening Office, a representative of the National Cancer Screening Office in these project activities, participated in the meeting of the Stakeholder Forum CanCon - "Promoting quality in cancer control: different dimensions, compelling challenges" and "Italy and the EU: Policy Dialogues and Cancer Control” in Rome, 15th - 16th September 2016. The meeting was organized in the Italian Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1, 00153 Rome, Italy.

The conference was held in partnership with CanCon working groups, the Italian Ministry of Health, the European Coalition of cancer patients (ECPC), and the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).

The meeting included topics relating to the current status of screening programs across the EU in relation to the implementation phase of the program and the duration of the program implementation. The administrative and organizational aspects of screening were also discussed. A special focus was given to the program evaluation and research, as well as to the application of new technologies, and the availability of new drugs. Topics also included the performance and efficiency, health-economic perspectives, the benefits and harms in the relations and communication with decision-makers, other stakeholders and the general population.

The summary of the meeting was the current status of cancer screening programs across the EU in relation to the implementation phase and the duration of the program implementation. The aim of both conferences was to create a political dialogue on how professionals can collaborate across Europe in an effort to reduce disparities in the treatment of cancer, in the policies of prevention, access to innovation, and access to rehabilitation programs.

The ultimate goal is to raise the survival rate of cancer patients and to reduce cancer mortality while improving the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors throughout Europe. The administrative and organizational aspects of screening were discussed.



On the second day of the meeting, the conference "Italy and the EU: Policy Dialogues and Cancer Control" brought together members of the European and Italian Parliament and EU experts. They discussed the implementation and assessment of policies and care of cancer patients.

The first part of the conference was a round table organized by European parliament Against Cancer (MAC). The focus was on two critical points: prevention and innovation as two important pathways for successful cancer control.

A special focus was given to the evaluation of cancer screening programs, with topics that include both performance and efficiency, health economic perspectives, the relations and communication with decision-makers, other stakeholders and the general population.

Implementation of the recommendations of CanCon project in EU member states and beyond will be the next step for successful joint action.