Knowledge Centre on Cancer : tackling cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Issue 1, February 2024.
Date: 2024-02-23
Institutions: Joint Research Centre
Subjects: cancer, disease prevention, health care, job vacancy, medical research, research project, serial publication

Read the online version  | ISSN 2812 -0493   

Knowledge Centre on Cancer: 
Tackling Cancer and other Non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) 

Issue 1, February 2024 

Introduction 

This bimonthly Newsletter covers the latest news and achievements of the EC 
Knowledge Centre on Cancer and other Cancer and non-communicable 
diseases portfolio projects. 

It also provides updates on EC grant calls and latest relevant EC-funded cancer-
related projects. Moreover, you can find information about vacancies at the EC 
Joint Research Centre. 

Make sure you don't miss our next issues and subscribe here. 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
Editorial 

We are thrilled to bring you this first edition 
of our EC Knowledge Centre on Cancer 
Newsletter! 

It's brimming with the latest news, 
noteworthy achievements, and fresh 
updates on our ‘Cancer and other non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) portfolio’ 
projects at the Joint Research Centre of the 
European Commission.  

Our goal is to keep you informed, inspired, 
and excited about the progress we're 
making in the world of cancer. 

See video 

  Ciarán Nicholl, Director, Health and Food Directorate, 

EC Joint Research Centre 

more  

Policy news 

A tribute to John Ryan, a champion of better health for all 

It is with a heavy heart that we write this first article for our newsletter. We, the 
team at the JRC, give tribute to our beloved colleague, ally, and friend, former 
DG SANTE Deputy Director General, John Ryan who recently passed away.  

more  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
January was cervical cancer awareness month 

One of the flagship initiatives of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is to 
‘Eliminate cancers caused by Human papillomavirus’. It is estimated that in 
2022, over 28,000 cervical cancer cases were diagnosed in the EU27 and over 
17,000 of women died from cervical cancer (ECIS 2022).  

Did you know that from over 100 existing types of HPV 
viruses around 14 of them, classified as ‘high risk’, can 
cause cancer? 

more  

On 31st January 2024 in Brussels a high level meeting took place: 
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: Joining Forces 

It showcased Europe’s efforts to 
improve the lives of everyone 
touched by cancer and its actions to 
take the lead in the fight against this 
disease. Go to the event page. 

  4th February was the World Cancer Day! 

more  

European Commission recommends new measures on vaccine-
preventable cancers under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan 

The Recommendation aims to support Member States in their efforts to 
prevent cancer through vaccination.  

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
more  

Answer to a written question - Measures to counter the carcinogenic 
effects of sunbeds - P-003238/2023(ASW) 

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission 
(5.12.2023) Under the prevention pillar of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the 
Commission is supporting awareness raising actions on key cancer risk factors.  

more  

Answer to a written question – Forthcoming revision of 
recommendations on smoke-free environments - P-003001/2023(ASW) 

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission 
(5.12.2023) The Commission proposal to revise the 2009 Council 
recommendation on smoke-free environments was announced in Europe’s 
Beating Cancer Plan.  

more  

On 13th December 2023 Sub-Committee of Public Health Report on 
non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was adopted with 578 votes in 
favour, 39 against and 15 abstentions 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not passed from 
person to person; NCDs cause 90 % of all deaths in the EU, account for 80 % of 
the health burden in EU countries and their prevalence continues to grow 
across the EU.  

more  

  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Science News and Publications 

Beating Cancer Inequalities in the EU: Spotlight on cancer prevention 
and early detection 

This report prepared by the OECD will 
accompany the European Cancer 
Inequalities Registry (ECIR) Data Tool and 
the Country Cancer Profiles. It examines 
policies and actions to tackle cancer across 
Europe. Check out the analytical report. 

more  

European Cancer Inequalities Registry launched a childhood cancer 
topic and factsheet on childhood and adolescents cancer inequalities 

Cancer is the most common cause of death due to disease in children and 
adolescents. It is estimated that 14 000 children and adolescents (0-14 years 
old) were diagnosed with cancer in Europe in 2022, and 2 000 a year die from 
cancer.  

more  

European Cancer Inequalities Registry published two new dimensions 
on the data tool: disability and employment status 

 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
ECIR is a flagship initiative of the Europe’s 
Beating Cancer Plan. It aims to highlight 
disparities, gaps and inequalities between 
and within EU countries (EU27 plus Iceland 
and Norway). 

more  

European Commission Initiative on Colorectal Cancer (ECICC) released 
the first recommendation on colorectal cancer screening ages 

As well as the first good practice statements on healthy lifestyle.  

For asymptomatic adults aged 50-69 with an average 
risk of colorectal cancer, the ECICC working group 
recommends screening for colorectal cancer in the 
context of an organised population-based screening 
programme. 

more  

Explore Food and Beverages Labels Explorer (FABLE) 

High intakes of salt, sugars, total and saturated fats have been linked with 
higher prevalence of various non-communicable diseases; their intake in adults 
across Europe is above recommended levels.  

more  

Comparison of four Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) 

  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
Faecal immunochemical (FIT) tests can detect very small amounts of human 
blood in stool. Colorectal cancer screening programs around the world use FIT 
tests, as they are non-invasive and inexpensive. The quantitative FIT tests 
provide a numerical result and this result is considered positive when the value 
is above a certain threshold. Various FIT tests are available on the market and 
these tests might not give comparable numerical results.  

more  

Radioligand therapy for advanced prostate cancer patients – are health 
care systems prepared? 

The radiopharmaceutical 177Lu-PSMA-617, 
labelled with the beta-particle emitter 177Lu 
(lutetium), obtained marketing authorisation 
in the EU for the treatment of metastatic 
castration resistant prostate cancer in 
December 2022. 

more  

European Cancer Information System (ECIS) published 2022 estimates 

The 2022 cancer mortality and incidence estimates and estimation of impact of 
population ageing on the burden of cancer up to 2040, are accompanied by 
factsheet series for total and individual cancers.  

Did you know that breast, colorectal, cervical, prostate, 
lung and gastric cancers accounted for 54.2% of all new 
cancer cases and 50.2% of cancer deaths in the EU in 
2022? 

more  

 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
Congratulations to our colleagues 
that published excellent papers! 

JRC Workshops on nuclear 
medical applications 

Two scientific articles: 

Actinium-225-PSMA radioligand 
therapy of metastatic castration-
resistant prostate cancer (WARMTH 
Act): a multicentre, retrospective 
study... 

Complete cancer prevalence in 
Europe in 2020 by disease duration 
and country (EUROCARE-6): a 
population-based...  

more  

Visit the European Rare Disease 
Registry Infrastructure (ERDRI) 

ERDRI is part of the EU Platform on 
Rare Disease Registration (EU RD 
Platform) that copes with the 
fragmentation of rare disease 
patients' data contained in hundreds 
of registries across Europe.  

more  

Throughout 2023, the JRC has held a 
series of workshops on nuclear 
medical applications with the intent 
to gather stakeholders and bridge 
the gap between technological 
advances in the medical applications 
of radionuclides and the clinical 
options accessible to European 
patients.  

more  

Breast Cancer Prevention brief 
published in the Health 
Promotion and Disease 
Prevention Knowledge Gateway 

According to the European Cancer 
Information System, it is estimated 
that breast cancer accounts for 
13.8% of all new cancer cases 
diagnosed in the EU in 2022, which 
makes it the most frequently 
occurring cancer.  

more  

European Cancer Information 
System (ECIS) launched the new 
section on cancer prevalence 

In 2020, 5% of the resident 
population in European countries 
was estimated to have had a cancer 
diagnosis in their lifetime. The new 

Check out our new Cancer Media 
News Report 

The News report presents the latest 
scientific advancements in the area 
of cancer and other NCDs.  

more  

 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
section presents estimates for 2020 
by country, as one of the outcomes 
of the EUROCARE-6 study.  
What's cancer prevalence? It 
considers everyone diagnosed, 
regardless of treatment status or 
time since diagnosis.  

more  

Open calls for funding 

Call for tender: Study on the quality of life of cancer patients and 
survivors 

Deadline 

  01/03/2024  

more  

Recently started EC-funded projects 

Projects that started between 1.12.2023 - 31.1.2024 

Programmes: EU4Health and Horizon Europe.  

Upcoming events 

Belgian EU Presidency Workshop: Securing Access to 
Radiopharmaceuticals for all European Patients 

permalink 

  Main URL  

  
 
  
   
 
 
  
   
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
date 

  28/02/2024  

14th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC 14), Milan, Italy 

permalink 

  Main URL  

date 

  20/03/2024 - 22/03/2024  

Vacancies 

FGIV - Scientist - Nuclear Physicist 

Deadline 

  26/02/2024  

more  

FGIV - Scientist – Advanced Therapeutics, Regulatory Science, Health 
(PANGOLIN) 

Deadline 

  26/02/2024  

more  

FGIV - Scientist – Advanced Therapeutics, Regulatory Science, Health 
(TARGET-RNA) 

Deadline 

  26/02/2024  

more  

Vice-chair for the guidelines development working group of the 
European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Deadline 

  29/02/2024  

more  

Working Group members for the European Commission Initiative on 
Colorectal Cancer 

Deadline 

  08/03/2024  

more  

FGIV - Project Officer – Guideline activities on cancer screening 

Deadline 

  11/03/2024  

more  

FGIV - Project Officer – Quality assurance activities on cancer 

Deadline 

  11/03/2024  

more  

FGIV - Programme Officer - Science for policy officer -Guideline 
activities on cancer screening 

Deadline 

  15/03/2024  

more  

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
FGIV Project Officer - Science for Policy Researcher - Healthcare quality 
activities on cancer 

Deadline 

  15/03/2024  

more  

This is an edition of the enewsletter published by the Knowledge Centre on Cancer via the 
European Commission's Knowledge4Policy platform. 

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ISSN: 2812-0493 | Catalogue Number: KJ-CH-24-001-EN-N