Research in Europe initiative Reimagining Cancer

Responding to insights and needs raised during the European CEO Programme roundtable series led by UICC, in partnership with the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF), in 2022, UICC, KWF and IARC joined forces to consult and convene leaders of cancer organisations in the European region to ‘reimagine cancer research in Europe’ aligning with and in support of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and Mission on Cancer.

During a series of virtual workshops led by UICC, participants explored and highlighted the urgency to increase investment in research on cancer prevention. As a result of these discussions, and the unwavering commitment of members in the region, a new initiative was launched at the World Cancer Congress to foster collaboration and support implementation research projects in cancer prevention. KWF, the Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden) and IARC are the Founding partners, with KWF and Cancerfonden having so far pledged EUR 2.5 million to the initiative. It has been a privilege for UICC to act as a facilitator for these regional-level discussions and, moving forward, UICC will act as the secretariat for the new initiative, with IARC providing expertise and guidance.

“The figures coming at us in Europe are staggering. If we don’t step up our act in the effective prevention of cancer, our health systems will crumble under the burden. Coming together across Europe in the funding of often neglected research in an attempt to find new and innovative pathways to prevention is not only inspiring but also bitterly needed.”

“Today, almost half of all cancer deaths across the world are linked to preventable factors. Preventing cancer is therefore not only a prerequisite for defeating cancer, it also saves an enormous amount of human suffering along the way. Now is the time to strengthen research in cancer prevention, and implementation research in particular, needs our urgent focus.”

Ulrika Årehed Kågström,

CEO of the Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden) and President-elect of

UICC