Cancer is currently the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases. In 2024, around 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU and around 1.27 million died. World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February. The three-year “United by unique” campaign (2025-2027) aims to raise awareness of the importance of people-centred care.

Though public health is the primary responsibility of the Member States, the EU has a strong role in supporting, coordinating and complementing Member States’ efforts. On 4 February 2020 – World Cancer Day – the European Commission started its outreach on Europe’s Cancer Plan at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Established in the 2021 Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, EU action focuses on prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and care, through 10 flagship initiatives.

The Plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients and families, and health care systems. The Plan is ambitious in addressing cancer-related inequalities between and in the Member States. The European Parliament, as law-maker and policy-maker, plays an active role in shaping the new Cancer Plan and related legislative proposals and policy initiatives.