The Scientific Advisory Committee at Cancer Patients Europe brings together a group of leading experts in oncology, research, public health, and patient advocacy. Guided by scientific excellence and patient-centred values, the Committee provides strategic and evidence-based advice to ensure that CPE’s initiatives, research, and policy work reflect the highest standards of scientific integrity, clinical relevance, and real-world impact for patients across Europe.
Clinical leaders – Urology & Surgery
Prof. Hendrik Van Poppel, MD, PhD
Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee
I am a urologic surgeon and Professor Emeritus of Urology at KU Leuven, Belgium. I have dedicated my career to advancing uro-oncology and surgical innovation, having performed thousands of major oncological surgeries and authored over 500 scientific publications. A former Adjunct Secretary General of the European Association of Urology (EAU), I established the EAU Patient Office and Policy Office to strengthen patient engagement and advocacy at the EU level.
Prof. Bertrand Tombal, MD, PhD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am a Full Professor of Urology at the Université catholique de Louvain and Chairman of Urology at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels. As former President of the EORTC, I specialise in urinary oncology with a focus on advanced prostate and bladder cancer. I combine clinical leadership with active research on hormone therapy and novel treatments, and have authored more than 400 scientific publications.
Prof. Geerard Beets, MD, PhD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am Professor of Surgical Oncology and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Maastricht University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. I specialise in colorectal cancer, with multidisciplinary research focused on rectal cancer, including MRI-based assessment, organ-preserving treatments, outcome research, and the use of immune checkpoint inhibition. I currently serve as President of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and contribute to several national and international oncology societies and editorial boards.
Clinical leaders – Radiation & Medical Oncology
Prof. Anna Kirby, MD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am a leading clinical oncologist specialising in breast cancer at The Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research in London. I spearhead research on innovative radiotherapy techniques, including the FAST-Forward Boost and PARABLE Proton trials, and previously led the HeartSpare studies. I am a former President of ESTRO (2022–24), where I guided strategic growth and championed patient involvement, workforce sustainability, and women in leadership.
Prof. Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, MD, PhD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am a medical doctor and board-certified in two specialties: radiotherapy and clinical oncology. I serve as Full Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Milan, Italy and as Director of the Division of Radiation Oncology and Proton Center at the European Institute of Oncology, leading one of the largest departments in Italy. As President-Elect of ESTRO (term 2026–2028), I work internationally to advance innovation, education, and advocacy, with the goal of improving access to and quality of cancer care. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical practice, academic leadership, and research with a strong commitment to ensuring that patients and caregivers remain at the heart of oncology.
Public health & Policy
Prof. Tit Albreht, MD, PhD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am a Professor of Public Health and Health Services Research at the University of Amsterdam and Head of the Centre for Health Care at the National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia. I specialise in health services research, health policy, and health systems, with a strong focus on cancer policy at EU level. I coordinated several EU cancer policy Joint Actions and I am currently serving as WP co-leader in the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. I am President of the European Public Health Association (2024–2026) and a member of the EUPHA Scientific Committee.
Research leadership & advocacy
Prof. Françoise Meunier, MD, PhD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am the Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium and Founder of the European Initiative on Ending Discrimination against Cancer Survivors. Formerly Director-General of EORTC, I now focus on public policy within CPE, advocating for the “Right to be Forgotten” to prevent discrimination against cancer survivors. I am also a member of the EACS Science Policy Committee and the European Cancer Organisation’s Survivorship and Quality of Life Network.
Dr. Lydie Meheus, PhD
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am Managing Director of the Anticancer Fund, a Belgian research foundation with an international scope. I have expertise in clinical research on therapies with high societal value and is active in European policy and patient advocacy. Co-founder of the Anticancer Fund, I previously led Reliable Cancer Therapies in Switzerland and have held leadership roles in Belgian biopharmaceutical research. As a breast cancer patient, I contribute to the Breast International Group Patient Partnership and the King Baudouin Foundation’s ‘Cancer Research for More Patient Value’ Steering Committee.
Nursing leadership – Patient care & advocacy
Helena Ullgren, RN, MSc
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
I am a specialist nurse in oncology and palliative care, holding a PhD in health care science. I serve as the clinical leader of a palliative care team at the Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center. In parallel with her clinical work, I conduct research with a special focus on quality of care, patient safety, and symptom monitoring.