Brussels, June 10–11, 2025 — Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE) proudly participated in the 10th Annual World Cancer Series Europe, hosted by Economist Impact. This key policy forum brought together cancer leaders from across the continent to shape the future of cancer control, with a strong focus on equity, innovation, and patient-centered care.

LuCE President Debra Montague and EU Policy & Engagement Manager Swasti Mishra represented the lung cancer community at this milestone event. Over two days, more than 80 expert speakers and hundreds of stakeholders discussed how to move from ambition to action—whether through improved survivorship, faster access to innovation, or expanded participation in cross-border clinical research.

Urgency and Opportunity

For the lung cancer community, the event underscored urgent, long-standing gaps in care. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe, yet continues to face delayed diagnosis, limited access to biomarker testing, and unequal availability of targeted therapies.

Throughout the conference, speakers reinforced the need to look beyond overall survival as the sole metric of success. There was a strong call to integrate outcomes that matter to patients—such as quality of life, mental health, and return to daily activities—into policy frameworks and research evaluation. As one expert emphasized: “Survival is not the only goal—it’s about living well, reintegrating into society, and restoring dignity.” LuCE fully supports this vision.

Clinical Research Under Pressure

A recurring concern was Europe’s declining role in global clinical research. Over the past decade, the region’s share of global clinical trials has dropped from 22% to 12%, with oncology trials particularly affected. Contributing factors include fragmented regulatory systems, delays in ethics approvals, and the increasing complexity of trial set-up.

LuCE has already raised the alarm in its Q1 2025 Policy Brief on EU Clinical Trials, which highlighted the loss of an estimated 60,000 trial places in Europe. The brief calls for harmonised regulatory processes, streamlined cross-border access, and inclusive trial design that ensures equitable participation for all patients—regardless of geography or socioeconomic background.

A Clear Role for the Lung Cancer Community

LuCE’s presence at the World Cancer Series Europe ensured that the perspectives and experiences of lung cancer patients were clearly represented. The conference made it clear: future cancer policies must be co-created with patients, guided by real-world data, and focused on outcomes that truly reflect lived experience.

For our member organisations, three key messages emerged:

1. Embed the Patient Voice
   National cancer plans must involve patient organisations from the outset. Co-creation ensures that policies are grounded in the realities of those they aim to serve.
2. Streamline Clinical Trial Access
   Support EU-level efforts to simplify ethics and regulatory frameworks. This is essential for delivering timely, equitable access to innovative therapies.
3. Invest in Data Equity
   Advocate for national engagement in EU digital initiatives to ensure all communities benefit from health data innovation and cross-border collaboration.

LuCE is committed to working alongside our national members, EU institutions, and global partners to ensure lung cancer remains a clear priority within Europe’s evolving cancer landscape. We thank the organisers and participants of the World Cancer Series Europe for their dedication to building a more inclusive, evidence-based, and patient-powered future in cancer care.