ESMO demands ‘special attention’ from European Cancer Plan on access to innovation

“With this Manifesto, we express our commitment to supporting European institutions, as well as national decision-makers, in the development, implementation and monitoring of policies aimed at effectively addressing the problem of cancer and achieving optimal cancer care for all,” the Manifesto assured. President of ESMO, Spaniard Andres Cervantes.

World Cancer Day 2024 was the date chosen by this scientific community to inform the Closing the Care Gap campaign, which aims to provide ESMO’s evidence-based manifesto to optimize the cancer response plan.

“We have the necessary scientific data to support decisions, as well as practical evidence obtained as a result of feedback from all those professionals who work in this field,” Cervantes emphasized.

The Manifesto outlines five areas of intervention that are identified as critical to the success of the EU BECA Plan, with patients and their rights always at the core.

“With cancer cases expected to increase by 20% by 2040 and more than 12 million people in Europe expected to survive cancer, we, as patient advocates, are proud to be a driving force behind ESMO’s efforts,” said Tanja Spanic , President of ESMO Patient Advocates. organization. Cluster. “The evidence that emerges as the ‘product’ of the unique partnership between patient and oncologist will be critical to ensuring that the Cancer Plan delivers on its promises.”

Prevention

Anticipating a “tsunami of new cancer cases” (from 4.4 million in 2020 to 5.32 million in 2040) and recognizing that up to 50% of all cancer cases are preventable, ESMO is calling for a rapid response and decisive reductions in air pollution . , exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens; mitigate behaviors (especially among adolescents and young adults) that increase cancer risk, such as use of e-cigarettes and tanning beds, unhealthy diets, and alcohol; barriers and hesitancy to vaccination against preventable cancers, such as HPV-related cancers.

Similarly, based on the principle of “prevent where possible, treat when necessary”, the ESMO Manifesto calls for making medicines accessible and affordable for patients, with a particular focus on those with rare or ultra-rare cancers. ESMO emphasizes the urgency of developing criteria to correctly identify “unmet medical needs” that impact so-called orphan drugs and can improve access to innovative and cost-effective treatments.

Investigation

Any advances in prevention and treatment are based on basic research. Key factors for the development of innovative oncology medicines are prioritizing cancer within the EU’s 10th Framework Program (FP10), focusing on the causes of cancer, promoting a personalized approach to cancer treatment and increasing the use of artificial intelligence to support clinical decision-making. Ensuring that existing European legislation and initiatives support the achievement of goals within the EU research ecosystem is critical to ensure that Europe remains a key driver of cancer research.

Likewise, they assert, “The EU BECA Plan will not see the light of day without a workforce fit for purpose: educated, trained and in sufficient numbers to face future (as well as current) challenges.” Increasing EU funding for professional development programs and work-related psychosocial risks are two main areas in which ESMO is turning to EU institutions.

Finally, they believe that growing challenges arising from staffing shortages, oncologists’ well-being and work-life balance are “impacting the ability of oncologists to provide the highest possible standard of care.” These challenges become even more difficult to manage “in the context of recurring crises caused by natural disasters, conflicts and pandemics.”

“The ability to provide optimal cancer care cannot be interrupted by an emergency or crisis: cancer does not wait for the end of a war or the arrival of immigrants to a new land after devastating floods,” Cervantes said.

“Incredible work remains to be done to realize our vision of providing optimal care for all cancer patients. “As a professional community, we come together to advocate for the highest possible level of cancer treatment available in Europe and around the world,” said the ESMO President. “While ESMO’s work has an impact on clinicians and patients around the world, our European roots and expertise in medical oncology give us a unique opportunity through the Manifesto to offer guidance on the formation of legislation and policy related to EU policies and to ensure that their implementation reflects development of events. The priorities of the entire cancer community are to better serve patients,” Cervantes concluded.