In March 2025, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies hosted a network meeting in Brussels with Sciensano (the National Public Health Institute of Belgium) dedicated to the EU-funded OBS-PACE Project: “OBS-Learning from Progress in Addressing Cancer in Europe”.
National and international cancer experts from ministries of health, public health institutes, cancer societies, patient organizations and academia all across the EU gathered to discuss published case studies and outline the next steps of the OBS-PACE project. Attendees looked at initiatives in cancer care and policies at local, regional and national levels, and collectively explored opportunities for cross-country collaboration within the project.
After opening remarks by the Observatory’s director Ewout van Ginneken along with Vittoria Carraro (DG SANTE) and Tit Albreht (OriON Joint Action), participants shared case studies of cancer activities developed in their countries and brainstormed on cross-country themes in cancer research, care and policies. Topics included:
- next generation case studies of innovative actions in cancer research, care and policy;
- country activities in defined areas such as cancer prevention, early detection and diagnostics, cancer care and quality of life; and
- future directions for the project, including the launch of OBS-PACE website and a presentation into its features, framework and resources.
This meeting was held with the support of EU Health and Food Safety European Commission and OriON Joint Action and represented a key opportunity for the Observatory to continue building on its contributions to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), national cancer mission hubs and the EU Cancer Mission overall.