In one of his first public engagements as the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Várhelyi held a Youth Policy Dialogue with members of Youth Cancer Europe on the occasion of World Cancer Day.
During the dialogue, he acknowledged youth’s role in shaping healthcare’s future and committed to delivering on the EU Cancer Plan, ensuring cancer remains a priority despite the Commission’s broader agenda. He was attentive to the unique challenges of cancer in youth—mental health, education disruptions, lack of follow-up care, socioeconomic struggles, career delays, and fertility preservation gaps. He recognised these as critical for Europe’s future and agreed they must be part of a forward-looking health agenda. As he reaffirmed, “Young people are essential to driving real change!”
The Commissioner outlined key areas for progress, including AI-driven advancements in healthcare, genetics and biomarkers for cancer detection and treatment, and the European Biotech Act to boost clinical trials, health technology assessment, and Europe’s competitiveness. He also highlighted the European Health Data Space as a major step in using big data and AI for targeted screening and prevention, ensuring early detection is more personalised and accessible.
Responding to patient advocates’ concerns on inequities in cancer care, he confirmed inequality will be a major focus, ensuring innovations benefit all populations. While other health priorities shape the agenda, cancer will not be forgotten. He committed to building on momentum, delivering more, and delivering better, keeping prevention, innovation, and equity at the heart of EU health policy.
The Commissioner has already announced he’ll meet with us again next year, and as always, we’ll be ready to hold the EU leaders accountable.
Watch the full recording of the event here: https://webcast.ec.europa.eu/world-cancer-day-2025-02-04
