Kidney cancer inequalities addressed in the European Parliament
As part of Urology Week 2026, the EAU bought together clinicians, epidemiologists, health economists and patient advocates who joined MEPs Tilly Metz (LU) and Romana Jercovič (HR) at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss this year’s theme, ‘Kidney cancer: The silent cancer’.
The event launched the updated Scientific and Policy Briefing on Kidney Cancer, authored by experts from across the uro-oncology community. The newly launched report summarises the state of kidney cancer in the EU and highlights inequalities that continue to affect patients throughout the care pathway, from tobacco prevention to access to multidisciplinary care, radiotherapy, and clinical research.
Chair of the EAU Policy Office, Prof. Hein Van Poppel stressed that kidney cancer remains significantly overlooked in EU policy. He put a key question to policymakers: What will the EU do to deliver on its commitments to reduce cancer inequalities, when a cancer like kidney cancer is still currently falling through the gaps?
The calls from the speakers were clear. Over 40% of kidney cancer cases could be prevented through controlling tobacco, obesity, and hypertension and the EU must start with tackling tobacco. While the figures on prevention are startling, the possible cost savings of prevention have not been measured, highlighting a significant research gap which commercial clinical trials will not cover. There were also strong calls for improved and more equal access to innovative therapies for kidney cancer, such as radiotherapy.
Health as a political priority
The event’s host, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's SANT Committee, Tilly Metz emphasised the importance of advancing key EU legislation that will profoundly impact outcomes of multiple cancers:
“When we talk about closing the gaps in kidney cancer, we should also look at what happens before diagnosis and what we can meaningful do to prevent people from developing the disease in the first place."
"Smoking is a preventable risk factor for kidney cancer, which is why prevention and access to smoking cessation must remain at the heart of EU cancer policies.”
While not present, MEP Jercovič spoke about the event, underlining the importance of maintaining health as a political priority:
"As the EU, we are already not doing enough for current and future patients with kidney cancer. If health budgets are not secured in budget negotiations, then the problem will only get worse. Mechanisms like EU4Health and Horizon Europe are crucial to support health research including prevention, which is one of Europe's key strengths and a cornerstone of innovation and equality."
Her comments echoed that progress in cancer prevention and care depends on sustained investment in health, innovation and research.
Equitable access for kidney cancer patients
Speakers agreed that kidney cancer can no longer remain a silent cancer for EU policy. Ensuring equitable access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while maintaining investment in research and innovation, will be essential if the EU is to improve outcomes for current and future kidney cancer patients.
Click here to read the full report: Kidney Cancer: Closing the gap to better outcomes in Europe, a scientific briefing & policy recommendations