Cancer Concerns All of Us

The year 2021 has been exceptional for the cancer community in the European Union. Two policy-steering documents have been published: the Europe´s Beating Cancer Plan (2021) and the Cancer Mission Report (2020) which is part of the Horizon Europe framework programme that started this year. Both documents include several recommendations and flagship actions about quality of life and cancer survivorship. The European institutions are already engaged in planning the future work. The European Parliament has a special committee on Cancer (BECA), which will be having hearings and submitting its report by the end of this year.

The most important observation is that cancer concerns us all in one way or another. In the European Union 2.7 million people were diagnosed with the disease, and another 1.3 million people lost their lives to it in 2020. Cancer is an individual diagnosis that has important impacts on patients, but it also severely affects the lives of their families and friends.

EU will be creating funding opportunities for research improving quality of life of cancer patients, survivors and carers. The Cancer Mission report includes flagship actions for ‘Better life for cancer patients’ initiative. These actions comprise a tailor made ‘Cancer Survivor Smart-Card and creation of the ‘European Cancer Patient Digital Centre. The idea is to support the exchange of patients’ data and monitoring of survivors’ health condition.

Cancer information that is professional and reliable strengthens policy actions. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a special challenge to services. Many ICISG member organisations, including Cancer Society of Finland, have been redesigning the way services are produced.

The Cancer Society is now working under a new strategy 2021–2025. Health promotion, psychosocial support and genetic counselling, rehabilitation support, and various forms of volunteering are the basis of the services. Existing services are being developed and new ones identified through surveys, citizens’ juries, service design, and other methods. A better understanding of clients’ needs and expectations will provide the opportunity to develop services on time and on demand. Patients and their loved ones will be involved in improving existing services and planning new ways of support. Another development area is group peer support. It will be increasingly diversified and broadened to include physical exercise, supporting personal resources and coping, and club activities.

Counselling services of the Cancer Society and its 18 member organisations give advice during personal meetings, phone, email and online chat forums. Healthcare professionals in oncology give counselling about hereditary risk of cancer. There are two specialized helplines: one devoted to issues of cancer pain and another dealing with personal finance concerns.

Contact
satu.lipponen@cancer.fi