Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is a political commitment to turn the tide against cancer and another stepping stone towards a strong European Health Union and a more secure, better-prepared and more resilient EU.
In 2024, 2.7 million people in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer, and another 1.3 million people lost their lives to it, including over 2,000 young people. Unless we take decisive action now, cancer cases are set to increase by 24% by 2035, making it the leading cause of death in the EU.
Actions under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan are supported by various funding programmes, including EU4Health, Horizon Europe and Digital Europe.
Together, the EU can work towards:
- a tobacco-free generation: ensuring that less than 5% of the population uses tobacco by 2040
- reducing harmful alcohol consumption in line with the targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (relative reduction of at least 10% in the harmful use of alcohol by 2025) and reduce young people’s exposure to alcohol marketing
- reducing environmental pollution by aligning the EU’s air quality standards with the World Health Organization’s guidelines and reduce exposure to carcinogenic substances and radiation
- improving knowledge and health literacy to promote healthier lifestyles
In June 2024, a new Recommendation to support Member States in their efforts to prevent cancer through vaccination was adopted. Part of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and a key pillar of the European Health Union, it focuses on boosting the uptake of two key vaccinations that can prevent viral infections that may lead to cancer: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), as well as improving the monitoring of coverage rates.
Cancer Plan targets for 2030
Improving early detection of cancer
Early detection through screening can help save lives. But inequalities to access persist between Member States.
The number of at-risk people being tested varies among Member states. It ranges from
With the new approach to cancer detection adopted in December 2022, the Commission will support Member States in ensuring that 90% of the EU population who qualify for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings are offered such screening. The Recommendation also proposes expanding population-based organised cancer screening to lung, prostate and, under certain circumstances, gastric cancers, based on further research.
Everyone should have the same right to high quality care, diagnosis and treatment, the same access to medicines, and the same hope of survival, regardless of where they live.
But survival rates following treatment for breast cancer vary by 20% between countries and the five‑year survival for colon cancer ranges from 49% to 68%.
The EU Cancer Plan provides for an EU platform to improve access to cancer medicines as well as support for the cancer workforce through an inter-specialty training programme that is being implemented in more than 100 cancer centres across the EU.
The Commission is also aiming to strengthen the digital capabilities of cancer centres. This includes expanding the use of telemedicine and remote monitoring with a new initiative, eCAN Plus, launched in June 2025.
Improving quality of life for cancer patients and survivors
There are estimated to be over 12 million cancer survivors in Europe, including around 300 000 childhood cancer survivors, thanks to advances in early detection, effective therapies and supportive care.
Thanks to advances in early detection, effective therapies and supportive care, there is estimated to be
While this is a reason for optimism, there also needs to be appropriate follow-up care and access to social protection.
Flagship initiatives
- Knowledge Centre on Cancer
- Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment for All
- European Cancer Imaging Initiative
- European Initiative to Understand Cancer
- Eliminate cancers caused by Human papillomavirus
- Better life for cancer patients initiative
- EU Cancer Screening Scheme
- Cancer Inequalities Registry
- EU network of National Comprehensive Cancer Centres
- Helping Children with Cancer Initiative
- New Networks of Expertise (for horizontal cancer areas)
Documents
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This page was last updated on 24 April 2026