IARC at the European Cancer Screening and Early Detection Policy Summit in Brussels

Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) joined policy-makers, cancer experts, patient advocates, and civil society leaders at the European Cancer Screening and Early Detection Policy Summit, held on 17–18 February 2026 in Brussels, Belgium, and online. The goal of the summit was to advance evidence-based action on expanding cancer screening and early detection across Europe with new implementable programmes for prostate cancer, lung cancer, and gastric cancer screening.

Organized by the European Cancer Organisation and supported by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency under the EU4Health programme, the summit brought together stakeholders to assess progress on key screening initiatives and explore next steps for implementation and policy uptake, particularly for prostate, lung, and gastric cancers.

Dr Partha Basu, Head of the Early Detection, Prevention, and Infections Branch at IARC, contributed to a summit session focusing on evidence generation, implementation challenges, and monitoring frameworks for population-based cancer screening. IARC scientist Dr Arunah Chandran presented on data monitoring and quality assurance with reference to the ongoing Prostate Cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union (PRAISE-U) project. IARC’s participation highlighted the importance of robust scientific evidence, quality assurance, and evaluation to support effective, equitable, and sustainable screening policies. The discussions aligned closely with IARC’s ongoing work in cancer prevention and early detection, particularly in the context of implementing the 2022 Council Recommendation on cancer screening and supporting EU Member States as they scale up or pilot new screening strategies.

In addition to its scientific contributions to the programme, IARC hosted an exhibition stand throughout the summit, which provided an opportunity to engage directly with policy-makers, health professionals, and other stakeholders. At the stand, IARC scientists presented the Agency’s work on cancer screening and early detection, with a particular focus on European collaborative projects supporting evidence generation, implementation research, and capacity-building. The stand featured visual materials showcasing IARC’s activities in cancer screening, including the use of digital displays to present looping slides and videos highlighting ongoing European initiatives and partnerships, and an invitation to the IARC 60th anniversary conference, to be held on 19–21 May 2026 in Lyon, France.

IARC’s engagement at the European Cancer Screening and Early Detection Policy Summit reflects its continued commitment to bridging science and policy and to supporting countries in implementing high-quality, evidence-informed cancer screening and early detection programmes that improve population health outcomes.

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