Europe's New Plan to Beat Cancer

World Cancer Day 2026 resolution

• Every year in the EU, 2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer and 1.3 million die from it.
• Cancer costs have doubled since 1995 – from €54 billion to €120 billion in 2023 – and made up 6.9 % of all health spending. By 2050, spending per person could rise 59 % because of an ageing population.
• The World Health Organization says at least 40 % of cancers could be prevented by changing lifestyle habits. Main risks are smoking, alcohol, poor diet, obesity, lack of exercise, environmental toxins, infections and air pollution.
• Women die from cancer at a high rate: 2.3 million women die each year. About 1.5 million of those deaths could be avoided with better prevention or early detection, and another 800 000 could be avoided if all women had access to the best care.
• Cancer in younger people (15‑49 years) is rising, especially among women.
• Rare cancers account for more than one in five diagnoses in the EU. They are often detected late, have limited treatment options and are unevenly treated across countries.
• The resolution calls for stronger EU coordination, dedicated funding and reference networks to tackle rare cancers.
• It urges the European Commission and Member States to renew political commitment to the “Beating Cancer Plan”, to give the plan a dedicated budget, and to report annually on progress.
• Gender equality must be built into research, prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.
• Pediatric and geriatric oncology need more research, better data sharing, clinical trials and cross‑border referral through European Reference Networks.
• Patients still face barriers to high‑quality care. The resolution calls for better infrastructure, easier access to specialised centres, fair and timely access to cancer drugs, joint procurement, price transparency and faster market entry.
• It supports vaccination and screening recommendations, and wants the plan to align with other EU health actions such as the Safe Hearts Plan.
• The resolution stresses the need to fight misinformation, improve health literacy and protect cancer survivors from financial discrimination.
• The European Parliament asks the Commission, Council, Member States and other stakeholders to act on these points.