1. Understanding: despite huge advancements in the field, much more research is still needed to understand why certain people, gender and age groups are at a higher risk of developing cancer, suffering from side-effects, etc. All these uncertainties limit the design of effective cancer prevention programmes as well as healthcare solutions adapted to each patient. Moreover, cancer research, healthcare providers, patient communities and industries are fragmented in the EU and do not benefit from patient engagement.

2. Prevention, screening and early detection: this is the most cost-efficient and long-term cancer control strategy. It is known that 40% of cancers could be prevented, but a more personalised understanding of the disease is needed as well as improvements in the existing prevention programmes and general health literacy among EU citizens.

3. Diagnosis and treatment: the time to cancer diagnosis is generally too slow or early diagnostic tests do not exist. The current best practices and standards of care are not consistently implemented across Europe, which results in unacceptable differences in standards of care and outcomes between Member States or socio-economic backgrounds. In addition, many patients do not have access to the latest personalised treatments across Europe (immunotherapy for instance) or are not empowered to make informed decisions on their treatment.

4. Quality of life: there is a clear lack of understanding or sufficient consideration of patient needs. Stigma affects patients and survivors of cancer. It can negatively impact their career and creates challenges in obtaining health insurance and mortgages, generating a substantial burden for patients, their families and countries’ health systems.