The vision of Association of European Cancer Leagues is to be a visible and effective player in cancer control and cancer care, in particular in Europe. The role of the Association of European Cancer Leagues is to facilitate the collaboration between cancer leagues throughout Europe and to influence EU and pan-European policies. The central purpose of ECL is to identify and promote common strategies in cancer control toward achieving health equity in cancer prevention, treatment and services.
The major fields of activity for the member cancer leagues include cancer prevention, public information, professional education and assistance, as well as information services and rehabilitation for patients and their families and relatives, participation in, and support for, cancer research.
ECL Activities
ECL's main areas of activities are in line with current cancer concerns in Europe and with the priorities and interests of member leagues.
Please visit the various sections of this website to learn about what we do and why are are such a leader in cancer control in Europe!
Selected areas of work include the following:
European Union
As an example of our involvement at the EU level, ECL leads cancer prevention in the European Commission's European Partnership for Action Against Cancer 2011-2014, launched on 29 September 2009.
ECL is also active in the EU Health Policy Forum, as well as being a founding member of the European Commission's Health and Alcohol Forum.
Tobacco Control:
Led by ECL Advocacy Officer Luk Joossens, we are extremely active in tobacco control in Europe and at the global level.
ECL is the permanent organiser for the European Conferences for Tobacco or Health, where the next one will take place in Istanbul in 2014, hosted by the Turkish Association.
Click here for more information on ECL's work in tobacco control.
National Cancer Control Plans (NCCP):
We explore the roles of European cancer leagues in the development and implementation of NCCPs.
HPV Vaccines:
In the form of a discussion forum, leagues exchange information, including cervical cancer, policy, access, and pricing issues.
Patient Support Working Group:
Supporting patients, especially via the Patient Support Working Group (PSWG), is one of the most important areas of work for ECL! The PSWG is currently engaged in the following areas:
- Employment and cancer patients
- Access to Financial Services
- Psychosocial Screening and Support
- Rehabilitation
- Palliative Care
Click here for more information on ECL's Patient Support Working Group.
Pharmaceutical Roundtable:
ECL organises meetings involving industry and cancer league representatives.
UV radiation and Skin Cancer:
We organise annual workshops for the exchange of experiences and best-practices in skin cancer prevention. Our actions here are supported by generous grants from Garnier International.
ECL Annual Meetings:
Each year, ECL organises a series of meetings exclusively for its members. These include themed workshops, the Annual Conference and the General Assembly. The Annual Conference is open to member leagues and invited guests. The General Assembly is restricted to ECL official focal points.
Our 2012 ECL annual meetings took place in Paris October and was hosted by the French League Against Cancer.
IFC
Each year, several ECL members participate to the International Fundraising Congress in the Netherlands. The participants share with all the ECL members a report highlighting best practices.
