EU-rology Sessions - Bladder Cancer Care

On February 19th, healthcare professionals, MEPs, the European Commission and Member State representatives, alongside other stakeholders gathered for a new EU-rology Session, co-organised with the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC), on Bladder Cancer care, quality of life and the need to increase investment for research. The session covered the ability of the EU Member States to create a smoke-free generation, the status of the research on Bladder Cancer diagnosis and treatment, the patients’ view on the quality of life, before and after diagnosis, and the possibilities for screening. Moreover, there was a presentation on the Cancer Mission Board by the European Commission.

Tobacco control and legislation

Steven Baylis, from the European Respiratory Society explored the possibility of whether European Member States are ready to to implement necessary changes for a smoke-free future. Baylis introduced the UK’s and New Zealand’s smoke-free generations, with the UK aiming to prevent cigarette sales to those born after January 1, 2009. The feasibility of similar measures in the EU was explored, considering legal and market implications.

Patient engagement and quality of life

Alessandra Moretti MEP (Italy, S&D) recorded a message, as she couldn’t attend because she was at SANT Committee. Moretti emphasised the importance of patient engagement and the need for the EU to prioritise health policies. She emphasised the role of prevention, particularly in controlling tobacco use, and criticised the delay in revising tobacco legislation. She concluded by saying that the support of civil society, doctors, and researchers is crucial in pushing for better health policies.

Piet Klein, a Bladder Cancer patient, shared his journey, highlighting the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence. He emphasised the need for better diagnostic pathways and tools as well as treatment options and patient support which were also highlighted by Melanie Costin who shared her personal experience with bladder cancer. Drawing from their expertise in patient peer support in their respective organisations, they shared that often patients have encountered difficulties reaching to the right diagnosis.

Covering the topic of quality of life, nurse Bente Thoft Jensen discussed the importance of understanding the health-related quality of life in Bladder Cancer patients and the need for supportive care.

The medical perspective

Dr. Thorsten Ecke, a urologists from Germany, provided a medical perspective on Bladder Cancer diagnosis and treatment, discussing the importance of early detection and the challenges of managing the disease.

Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

Josephine Mosset, from Cancer Patient Europe, discussed the EU HTA regulation, at an early implementation stage, aiming to streamline clinical assessments and involve patients and experts in the process. The regulation is expected to reduce access inequalities, and make sure that patient experiences and real-world evidence are considered in assessments.

Access to treatments and clinical trials

Ondrej Dostal MEP (Chechia, NI) addressed the importance of access to treatments and the role of clinical trials in improving patient outcomes. He highlighted the need for better funding and organisation of healthcare systems to ensure timely and equitable access to care. The discussion also touched on the ethical considerations of using advanced treatments, versus the economic impact of it.

Research and Innovation

Florence Le Calvez-Kelm, from IARC, presented the research on urinary biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of Bladder Cancer. She discussed the potential of these biomarkers to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes. The importance of primary prevention, identifying new risk factors, and understanding sex differences in bladder cancer was also highlighted.

Cancer Mission Board

Finally, we had the intervention of Christine Chomienne, from the Cancer Mission Board. The Cancer Mission Board aims to make research more impactful for citizens by addressing the entire cancer control continuum, from prevention to end-of-life care. This mission-oriented approach involves cross-sector collaborations and policy actions, working closely with the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. The mission targets saving over 3 million lives by 2030, ensuring equitable access to care for all EU citizens. Calls for research are issued annually, covering prevention, early detection, diagnostics, treatment, and quality of life. Christine encouraged the Bladder Cancer community to participate in these calls to benefit from the available funding and support.