ESMO outlined several actions for Member States on three priority areas – prevention, healthcare systems, cancer workforce – in the response to WHO EURO consultation on regional priorities and input to the WHO Director-General’s report for the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs in September 2025.
Prevention: ESMO underscored the necessity to implement cancer-specific WHO ‘Best Buy’ interventions; tackle tobacco and alcohol consumption; tighten air quality standards to align with WHO guidelines; limit environmental pollutants, chemical hazards, and microplastics, which have links to cancer; step-up vaccination programs for human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV); and prohibit sunbed use among young people due to the association of artificial UV exposure with skin cancers like melanoma.
Healthcare Systems: ESMO emphasised the importance to ensure equitable access to comprehensive cancer care and cancer medicines, and to establish and strengthen referral systems. Integration of cancer care services into health emergency and pandemic preparedness frameworks to ensure continuity of care during crises for patients with cancer was also highlighted as critical.
Workforce: ESMO stated that strengthening the oncology workforce is essential, and encouraged Member States to invest in education, training, and retention strategies for oncologists; create supportive working environments; providing avenues for professional development; and protecting the well-being of oncology workforce.
The consultation was a follow-up to the global WHO consultation ESMO responded to in June 2024. The Society continues to engage in the processes leading to the 2025 UN High-Level meeting on NCDs, aiming to catalyse urgent actions by WHO Member States and ensure that cancer prevention and control is prioritised in the global health agenda.