New study explores individual and contextual determinants of behaviour change for cancer prevention in the European Union: a qualitative study to inform adoption of the European Code Against Cancer

A new multicountry qualitative study coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) explores barriers and facilitators to adopting the European Code Against Cancer. An initiative led by IARC and co-funded by the European Commission and IARC, the European Code Against Cancer provides evidence-based recommendations to help citizens reduce their cancer risk and is a key tool to implement the prevention goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Based on the fourth edition of the European Code Against Cancer, the study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe suggests that although many Europeans are motivated to reduce their cancer risk, everyday structural and social barriers can make it difficult to adopt the recommended preventive behaviours.

Feliu A, Barrera B, Boland V, Drury A, Hâncean MG, Geantă M, et al.
Exploring individual and contextual determinants of cancer prevention behaviour change in the European Union: a qualitative study to inform implementation of the European Code Against Cancer
Lancet Reg Health Eur. Published online 4 March 2026;
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101633

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