CPE ANNUAL MEETING 2026
Protecting and Improving Europe’s Cancer Care Model in a Changing World
24–26 June 2026 · Brussels, Belgium
Three days of high-level institutional dialogue, multi-stakeholder debate, and collective advocacy — bringing together the people who shape European cancer policy.
Three Days That Shape European Cancer Policy
Europe’s cancer care systems are under pressure. The decisions made now will define outcomes for patients across the continent for decades to come.
01
Shape the policy agenda
Engage directly with EU and regional decision-makers at a moment when patient voices are most needed.
02
Exchange with peers
Connect with patient organisations, clinicians, and advocates from across Europe working on the same challenges.
03
Stay ahead
Access the latest policy developments, research findings, and strategic insights from the leading voices in European cancer advocacy.
04
Make your voice count
CPE’s Annual Meeting is where the European cancer patient community sets priorities, builds alliances, and drives change.
Programme at a Glance
Three distinct formats. One shared purpose.
24
JUNE
INSTITUTIONAL EVENT
Political Engagement at the European Committee of the Regions
The Role of Regions in Safeguarding Equitable Care
An institutional event bringing together patient leaders, regional authorities, and EU policymakers to discuss how regional action can reduce territorial inequalities in cancer care and improve equitable access across Europe.
Agenda
Agenda
The Role of Regions in Safeguarding Equitable Care
CPE Annual Meeting 2026
Day 1 Event at the European Committee of the Regions
Date & Time: Wednesday 24 June 2026, from 16:00-18:00
Location: EU Committee of the Regions, room JDE 51
MODERATOR: Barbara Mc Laughlan
16:00 – Welcome and Introduction
Francisco Lozano, Chair of the Board, Cancer Patients Europe
Dorota Tomalak, European Committee of the Regions
16:10 – Keynote – Why Regions Matter for Europe’s Cancer Care Model
Birgitta Sacredeus, Representative of the European Committee of the Regions
16:20 – Real-life Challenges Presented by Patients – Unequal Access to Cancer Care Across European Regions
Dr. Stefano Giordani, Onconauti
16:30 – Panel Discussion – Reducing Cancer Inequalities Across European Regions through Action
Marco Di Donato, Policy and Project Manager, EUREGHA – European Regional and Local Health Authorities
MEP Elena Nevado del Campo (EPP, Spain)
MEP Nicolás González Casares (S&D, Spain)
Anita Granero, Board Member, Cancer Patients Europe
Dr. Stefano Giordani, Onconauti / CPE Member
17:15 – Q&A Session
Open floor discussion with participants and panelists
17:50 – Closing Reflections and Next Steps
Birgitta Sacredeus, Representative of the European Committee of the Regions
Francisco Lozano, Chair of the Board, Cancer Patients Europe
18:00 – End of Event
25
JUNE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
CPE Annual Conference 2026
Europe’s Cancer Care Model: From Policy to Action
A multi-stakeholder conference bringing together patient organisations, EU institutions, healthcare professionals, cancer organisations, and industry partners for expert sessions, policy debate, and best practice exchange — with the patient voice at the centre.
Agenda
Europe’s Cancer Care Model: From Policy to Action
CPE Annual Meeting 2026
Day 2 CPE Annual Conference
Date & Time: Thursday 25 June 2026, from 9:00-17:30
Location: Skyline, Rue de Trèves 74, 1040 Bruxelles
Moderator: Tamsin Rose
8:30 – Registration & Welcome coffee
9:00 – Opening Plenary session – Europe at a Crossroads: Geopolitics, the Future of Cancer Care and CPE
Francisco Lozano, Chair of the Board, Cancer Patients Europe
Antonella Cardone, CEO Cancer Patients Europe
9:15 – Session 1 – Clinical Trials in Europe: Opportunities, Barriers, and the Way Forward
Presentation 1: Clinical Trials in Europe: Where We Stand and How We Compare Globally
Presentation 2: How Europe is responding: the policy framework (Biotech Act, Clinical Trials Regulation, Pharmaceutical Strategy, EU HTA Regulation)
Patient testimony: the experience of participating in a clinical trial and its impact on the patient journey (4 minutes)
Presentation 1: Sean Byrne, Associate Director, Science Policy & Regulatory Affairs, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
Presentation 2: Cristina Rotaru, EU-X-CT Secretariat
Patient testimony: Merel Hennink, Secretary of the Board, Cancer Patients Europe
Discussion
One Moderator and one Rapporteur/table
10:15 – Session 2 – Ensuring Equitable Access to Cancer Care in Europe
Presentation 1: The impact of global policies on patient access: the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) policy
Presentation 2: Cancer Care Beyond Medicines: Ensuring Access Across the Treatment Pathway
Patient testimony: navigating access to comprehensive cancer care – a patient perspective
Presentation 1: Neil Grubert, Independent Global Market Access Consultant
Presentation 2: Prof. Tit Albreht, President of the European PublicHealth Association (EUPHA)
Patient testimony: Jacqueline Daly, Vice-Chair of the Board, Cancer Patients Europe
Discussion
One Moderator and one Rapporteur/table
11:15 – Coffee break
11:45 – Session 3 – Personalised Cancer Care Across the Patient Journey: From Genomics to Shared Decision-Making
Presentation 1: From Genomic Testing to Biomarker Testing Access: Strengthening Shared Decision-Making in Cancer Care – Insights from CPE Initiatives
Presentation 2: Implementing Shared Decision-Making in Cancer Care: From Principle to Practice
Patient testimony: being involved in treatment decisions – a patient perspective
Presentation 1: Dr. Paola Thellung de Courtelary, Policy and Scientific Manager, European Society of Pathology
Presentation 2: Dr. Clara Cerrato, Urologic Oncology Researcher and Fellow of the European Board of Urology (FEBU)
Patient testimony: Erik Briers, President Europa Uomo
Discussion
One Moderator and one Rapporteur/table
13:00 – Lunch Break
14:00 – Plenary: Feedback round on key findings in session 1, 2 & 3
14:30 – Parallel sessions
Parallel session 1 – VOICE PM Parallel Session: Patient Priorities and Solutions for Translational Personalised Medicine Research
Parallel session 2 – Mission Early: Advancing Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer in Europe
Parallel session 3 (closed door session, upon invitation only) –Unlocking Cancer Innovation in Europe: Policy Solutions to Invest, Value, and Deliver
16:00 – Coffee Break
16:15 – Session 4: Life after cancer: the Right to be Forgotten
Opening presentation
Patient testimony
Panel discussion
Hon Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Ireland
Dr Françoise Meunier, Founder European Initiative on Ending Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors
Elordi Garcia, Cancer survivor
Ingrid Krücken, Executive Board Member of Europa Donna Luxembourg
Moderated Q&A discussion
17:30 – Closing remarks
Francisco Lozano, Chair of the Board, Cancer Patients Europe
26
JUNE
ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
CPE Annual General Assembly
CPE’s Annual General Assembly is the moment when member organisations come together to review progress, set strategic priorities, and shape CPE’s direction for the year ahead. A dedicated space for the patient community to exercise its collective voice at the highest level.
A Trusted Voice at the Heart of European Cancer Policy
Cancer Patients Europe ensures that the voices of patients, survivors, and caregivers are heard where European health policy is made — through structured engagement with EU institutions, national health authorities, and the broader cancer community.
CPE Annual Meeting 2026 — Official Documentation and Downloads
The official documentation page for the 2026 CPE Annual Event hosts all publicly available materials — event and activity reports, financial statements, governance and strategic planning documents, board election materials, and practical resources for attendees and members.