Young Urologists: Dialogue with Health Commissioner in Brussels – Uro-oncology in the spotlight
“This was a really interesting experience for me, to learn more about EU funding and initiatives and also to have the chance to raise important issues with a European leader – I was really happy to have had this opportunity”, Rose Laursen, EAU Young Urologists Office.
On World Cancer Day, (4th February), the European Commission organised a youth dialogue on cancer between young cancer survivors, cancer healthcare professionals, and the new European Health Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi. The European Association of Urology was invited to submit candidates to participate in the dialogue through the European Cancer Organisation. Three members of the European Association of Urology were chosen to participate: Rose Laursen from Denmark, Mark Horvath from Hungary, and Radion Garaz from Germany.
On the morning of 4 February, the young urologists joined the Cancer Project Showcase organised by Hadea, the agency of the European Commission that manages the dispersal of EU health funds. At this event, they met with Sarah Collen and Professor Hein Van Poppel from the EAU Policy Office, who were there representing the EAU and the EU4Health co-funded PRAISE-U project. Erik Briers from Europa Uomo was present to give a testimonial on the patient’s perspective regarding early detection. He emphasised the importance of organised screening for prostate cancer, a disease where no early symptoms or warning signs exist and which cannot be prevented through lifestyle measures. His own high-risk prostate cancer was detected by chance rather than through organised screening.
In the current disorganised approach to early detection of prostate cancer, men across the EU who would benefit from early detection are slipping through the gaps, while men who do not need to be tested are receiving unnecessary repeat tests. Prostate cancer, when caught too late, can lead to a very poor quality of life and expensive treatments. However, when detected early, the disease can be treated, and, for low-risk men, active surveillance is a better option than immediate treatment. The PRAISE-U project is piloting prostate cancer screening at 5 sites across the EU and is testing an organised, risk-based screening algorithm.
In the afternoon, the young urologists were whisked away to meet Commissioner Várhelyi in a closed-door, invitation-only discussion, where they were among the approximately 15 young cancer professionals invited to meet with him. They were able to raise the importance of early detection and introduce the PRAISE-U project, calling for sustained EU funding. They also shared their personal experiences working as surgeons and doctors in uro-oncological care across the EU, highlighting the value of collaboration and the sharing of expertise across borders. They called for sustained EU funding to support the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
These young urologists were selected through EAU Young Urologists and Young Academic Urologists and have participated in the Talent Incubator Programme, which includes a module on the role of urologists as health advocates. This initiative, organised via the EAU Policy Office, allowed them to gain firsthand experience advocating for urological care and patients with the European Commission’s leading health official. What an amazing experience and a truly impactful way to highlight urology in the EU!
