PARTNER HOTELS
REGISTRATION

Programme

DAY 1 | November 6th

The EUnetCCC framework:

Concept, standards & opportunities

08:00

🕒 08:00-09:00

Welcome & Registration

Location

Foyer

This opening session will officially launch the EUnetCCC Annual Meeting with a series of high-level interventions outlining Europe’s strategic vision for cancer care and research. Senior representatives from the European Commission, national governments, and the EUnetCCC coordination team will reflect on the future of cancer policy in Europe and the transformative potential of the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. The session will set the tone for two days of collaboration, learning, and forward-looking dialogue.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

Speakers

Norbert Ifrah

French National Cancer Institute

Chairman

Nanna Skovgaard

Danish Health Authority

Deputy Director General

Didier Lepelletier

French Ministry of Health

Director-General for Health

Olivér Várhelyi

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety – European Commission

Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

Joanna Drake

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety – European Commission

Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

Roberta Metsola

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety – European Commission

Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

This opening session will set the strategic scene for the entire Annual Meeting. It will begin with a high-level look at Europe’s cancer burden and the inequalities that persist between and within countries, drawing on recent EU-level data. Building on this picture, speakers will explore the rationale behind Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the decision to establish a European network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres as a flagship initiative. The session will introduce EUnetCCC as a key instrument to bridge cancer care, research, and education across Europe—highlighting the EU’s long-term ambitions for the network and the central role of Member States in making this vision a reality.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

Speakers

Diego Serraino

Alliance Against Cancer

Senior Consultant

Tit Albreht

National Institute of Public Health

Head of the Centre for Health Care

Ana Povo

Ministry of Health

Secretary of State for Health

Elisabete Weiderpass

International Agency for Research on Cancer

Director

Vlad Voiculescu

European Parliament

Renew Europe’s Coordinator in the Public Health Committee and Chairman of the Intergroup on Cancer and Rare Diseases

10:30

🕒 10:30-11:00

Coffee break

Location

Foyer

10:30

🕒 10:30-11:30

Press conference

Location

Aubépine

This session will take participants from the why to the how of building a strong European network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. It will explore the rationale behind the concept of EU Comprehensive Cancer Centres (EU CCCs), and how this model can serve as the backbone for a high-performing and integrated cancer ecosystem across Europe. Building on this, the session will introduce the certification scheme being developed within the project as a key enabler to translate the EU CCC concept into practice —clarifying its purpose, how it differs from existing systems, and how it can help Member States achieve the goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

Speakers

Lionel Collet

French National Authority for Health

President

Ruggero De Maria

Alliance Against Cancer

President

Sophie Beaupère

Unicancer

General Delegate

Tomasz Stefaniak

University Clinical Center of Medical University of Gdansk

Chief Medical

Patriciu Achimas-Cadariu

Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta

Professor of Surgical and Gynecologic Oncology & Former Minister of Health

Claudia Valverde

Vall d'Hebron University Hospital

Researcher

Parallel Session 1 – Getting ready for EU CCC Certification: a practical guide for candidate Centres
6 November, 12:00–12:45

This session will give participants a practical look at what the certification process concretely involves. From understanding the seven domains of the standards and criteria to preparing for the self-assessment and site visits, participants will hear directly from pilot centres and field-testers about what to expect and how to get ready. The session will also introduce the dedicated tools developed within EUnetCCC to help candidate centres prepare, including guidance manuals and the dedicated online platform.

Moderator

Seamus Kearney

Moderator

President

Speakers

Eva Jolly

Karolinska Institute

Head of the CCC Project Unit

Rolv-Ole Lindsetmo

University Hospital of North Norway

Project Manager

Mona Krichen

French National Authority for Health

Project Director

Parallel Session 2 – Making the most of EU CCC Certification: strategic opportunities for Centres and Health Systems
6 November, 12:00–12:45

This session is intended centres already familiar with the EU CCC certification and looking to understand what it can bring beyond ticking the boxes. It will explore how certification can help structure internal strategies, build partnerships, raise your centre’s profile nationally and in Europe, and secure long-term support. Participants will hear from centres already certified or preparing for it—why they joined, what they’ve learned, and how the process is helping them grow. The session will also look at how certification fits into wider national and EU policies, and why it matters for the future of cancer care across Europe.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

President

Speakers

Viviane Joalland

Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest

Deputy Director General

Vilma Jersoviene

Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos

Deputy Head of the Internal Audit Department

Ernest Nadal

Catalan Institute of Oncology

Scientific Director

Isabelle Seksek

Unicancer

Project Director

12:45

🕒 12:45-13:45

Lunch break

Location

Foyer

If you are wondering how to join the EU CCC Network, what membership will mean in practice, and how the network will be run—this is the session for you. From eligibility and joining pathways to how decisions will be made, this session will show how the network aims to stay inclusive, credible, and focused on quality—so it can truly deliver on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Moderator

Seamus Kearney

Moderator

President

Speakers

Valeria Maria Urbano

Politecnico di Milano

Junior Assistant Professor

Claudia D'Agostini

Alliance Against Cancer

Project Manager

Paolo de Paoli

Alliance Against Cancer

General Director

Sonja Tomšič

Institute of Oncology Ljubljana

Coordinator of National Cancer Control Programme 2022-2026

Carsten Bokemeyer

University Cancer Center Hamburg

Director

Patrik Rossi

Karolinska University Hospital

Managing Director, Cancer Theme

This session will spotlight one of the key benefits of being part of the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres: taking part in collaborative activities across key thematic areas bringing together cancer centres across Europe. Through concrete examples from several thematic areas, participants will discover how centres are working together to address shared challenges, test solutions, and scale up best practices in cancer care, prevention, and research. The session will explore what is already underway, what’s coming next, and—most importantly—what practical value these collaborations can bring to your centre or organisation.

Moderator

Seamus Kearney

Moderator

President

Speakers

Per Magnus Mæhle

Oslo University Hospital

Head of the Unit of European Cancer Collaboration

Cátia Faustino

Institute of Oncology Porto

Consultant Medical Oncologist

Claes Jønsson

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Senior Consultant Surgeon and Associate Professor of Surgery

Sona Ciernikova

Bratislava Insitute of Oncology

Research & Education Project Coordinator and Secretary of the Scientific Council

Ieva Ailte

Oslo University Hospital

Project Manager at the European Cancer Collaboration Unit

Dina Dabaghie

Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Coordinator and Project Manager

Claudia Valverde

Vall d'Hebron University Hospital

Researcher

Régine Kiasuwa Mbengi

Sciensano

Lead of the Supportive Care & Organisation Unit

Alexandru Petrusan

Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță in Cluj-Napoca

General Surgery Specialist

15:15

🕒 15:15-15:45

Coffee break

Location

Foyer

EUnetCCC is part of a much wider European and global effort to tackle cancer. This session will introduce the broader landscape of EU cancer initiatives and explore how stronger collaboration between projects can drive greater impact. Participants will learn about the concept of “thematic clustering” as a way to create synergies between related initiatives, and discover how the European Commission’s Health Policy Platform (HPP) is being used as a practical tool to support this coordination. The session will set the stage for deeper discussions in the following parallel sessions, which will highlight concrete examples of collaboration in key cancer areas.

Moderator

Marc Van den Bulcke

Sciensano

Head of the Cancer Centre

Speakers

Annalisa Trama

National Cancer Institute

Head Of Evaluative Epidemiology Unit

Parallel Session 3 – Advancing precision cancer diagnostics through collaboration and EU synergies
Baobab 1
6 November, 16:15–17:00

This session will explore how the EU CCC network is helping to advance precision cancer diagnostics across Europe. Participants will hear how centres are working together to strengthen Molecular Tumour Boards, improve data collection and implementation strategies, and share expertise through site visits, webinars, and training. The session will also highlight how these efforts connect with other major EU initiatives—such as JaNE-2, JA-PCM and ESMO—to promote common standards, patient involvement, and wider access to innovation. Looking ahead, the discussion will touch on opportunities for cross-border collaboration and strategic clustering to drive more consistent, evidence-based use of precision diagnostics across the EU.

Moderator

Live Fagereng

University of Oslo

EUnetCCC Project lead for Precision Diagnostic

Speakers

Andreea Beaz

EUnetCCC project

Patient Advocate

Ramon Maspons

Catalan Ministry of Health and Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia

Chief Health Innovation Strategist and Chief Innovation Officer

Maria Sanchis

EIT Health

Senior Manager Open Innovation and Innovative Procurement

Denis Horgan

EIT Health

Senior Manager Open Innovation and Innovative Procurement

Parallel Session 4 – Joining forces for early detection: Synergies to scale-up prevention and screening efforts across Europe
Baobab 3
6 November, 16:15–17:00

This session will explore how Comprehensive Cancer Centres across Europe are stepping up efforts to make cancer prevention and screening more personalised, inclusive and effective. Through the EU CCC network, centres are piloting new models—such as prevention hubs, risk-based screening protocols, and digital tools—designed to reach people earlier and reduce inequalities in access. These actions are not happening in isolation: CCCs are joining forces with major EU-funded initiatives to align methods, share lessons, and scale up what works. The session will highlight how this collaboration is driving real progress on the ground—and how these efforts can be expanded across borders to strengthen early detection in cancer care systems across Europe.

Moderator

Delia Nicoara

Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță in Cluj-Napoca

Public Health Management Specialist

Speakers

Béatrice Fervers

Léon Bérard Centre

Head of the Prevention Cancer Environment Department

Carolina Espina

International Agency for Research on Cancer

Scientist

Norbert Couespel

European Cancer Organisation

Policy Research and EU Projects Manager

Suzette Delaloge

Institut Gustave Roussy

Medical oncologist and Researcher, Director of the Interception personalised prevention research programme

Stefania Boccia

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Professor of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Rodica Mîndruța-Stratan

Institute of Oncology

Surgical oncologist and researcher

Hélène Antoine-Poirel

Sciensano

Head Unit Children and AYA with cancers / Oncogenetics / Omics, Medical advisor in Genetics, Childhood cancers, Haematological & Rare Cancers.

Pierre Laurent Puig

University Paris Cité and AP-HP

University Professor - Hospital Practitioner of gastroenterology and hepatology

Parallel Session 5 – Unlocking data for better cancer care and control within the EunetCCC network
Aubépines 1&3
6 November, 16:15–17:00

How can we unlock the power of clinical data for better cancer research and care across Europe? This session will aim to answer this question and explore how the EUnetCCC network is helping cancer centres get ready for the secondary use of clinical data—through practical tools, capacity-building activities, and synergies with major EU initiatives like CANDLE, UNCAN.connect, etc. Participants will hear how centres are assessing their data maturity, testing solutions, and contributing to a more connected European data ecosystem. The session will also look ahead to future opportunities for collaboration, including the 2026 EUnetCCC Data Summit.

Moderator

Dr. Juan González García

Aragonese Health Sciences Institute

Head of Health Data Strategy

Speakers

Juan González García

Aragonese Health Sciences Institute

Head of Health Data Strategy

Tomi Mäkelä

Finish Cancer Centre

Director

Elin Naderi

Oslo University Hospital

Senior Consultant Oncologist

Annelies Verbiest

Antwerp University Hospital

Medical oncologist and leader of the Data Access Committee

Jerome de Barros

Antwerp University Hospital

Medical oncologist and leader of the Data Access Committee

17:00

🕒 17:00-18:00

Internal meeting

General Assembly

Location

Sequoia

18:00

🕒 18:00-20:00

Networking cocktail

Location

Foyer

DAY 2 | November 7th

EUnetCCC in practice:

Challenges, experiences & need for mobilisation

08:30

🕒 08:30-09:00

Welcome & Registration

Location

Foyer

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

President

Speakers

Angelo Marino

Health and Digital Executive Agency – European Commission

Head of Department of Health and Food

Marina Zanchi

Health and Digital Executive Agency – European Commission

Director

Thinking about certification? This session is designed for centres preparing to apply for the EU CCC certification. It will provide a practical look at how the Network supports candidate centres in their preparation and long-term development—through self-assessment tools, strategic planning guidance, and continuous improvement. Participants will learn how EUnetCCC’s capacity-building strategy can help your centre identify strengths, address challenges, and grow over time—no matter your starting point. Special focus will be given to how the approach supports centres in less-resourced settings and ensures all members can move forward together.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

President

Speakers

Joan Prades

Catalan Institute of Oncology

Cancer Policy and Healthcare Services Researcher

Panos Ergatoudes

Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre

Chief Executive Officer

Vanesa Gregorc

Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO

Director of Clinical Research and Innovation Division and Deputy Scientific Director

Susanne Isfort

Hannover Medical School

Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. (MD) – Associate Professor

Parallel Session 6 – Securing the future cancer workforce: recruitment and retention
7 November, 10:15–11:00

Cancer centres across Europe are increasingly confronted with a critical challenge: how to recruit, train, and retain a skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing complexity of cancer care and research. As new technologies reshape clinical roles, and as interdisciplinary and personalised approaches become the norm, CCCs must navigate profound shifts in the health labour market. This session will explore how centres can anticipate and adapt to these workforce challenges. It will examine the role of Comprehensive Cancer Centres in shaping a sustainable and equitable cancer labour market, and help identify strategic priorities and actions for the EU CCC Network to support workforce development across Member States.

Moderator

Seamus Kearney

Moderator

President

Speakers

Liora Bowers

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Policy Analyst

Helena Ullgren

European Oncology Nursing Society

President

Xavier Troussard

French Hospital Federation

President of the Cancer Commission

Theologia Tsitsi

Cyprus University of Technology

Lecturer in Surgical Nursing

Alinta Hegmane

Riga East University Hospital

Medical Oncologist and Director of the Latvian Cancer Centre

Parallel Session 7 – Empowering Patients: Advancing Collaboration and Dialogue within EUnetCCC
7 November, 10:15–11:00

This session will explore how EUnetCCC can strengthen collaboration and open dialogue with patients and patient organisations across Europe. As personalised cancer care and prevention evolve, patient engagement has become essential to shaping research priorities, policy directions and shared initiatives across the network.
The discussion will focus on practical ways to ensure that patient voices are heard and integrated in EUnetCCC’s activities, from strategy development to communication and advocacy. Participants will reflect on how ongoing collaboration can enhance trust, transparency and impact, fostering a truly patient-centred European approach to cancer care and prevention.

Moderator

Delia Nicoara

Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță in Cluj-Napoca

Public Health Management Specialist

Speakers

Miguel Reis

Vieira de Almeida

Cancer Survivor and Patient Advocate

Iñaki Gutiérrez Ibarluzea

Ministry of Health of the Basque Government

Director of Research, Innovation and Evaluation

Bettina Ryll

Melanoma Patient Network Europe

Founder

Etienne Brain

Curie Institute

Medical Oncologist

Katie Rizvi

Youth Cancer Europe

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Nicola Di Flora

Empowered Cancer Patients Network

CEO & Founder

11:00

🕒 11:00-11:30

Coffee break

Location

Foyer

How are cancer centres putting the EU CCC vision into practice? This session will feature real-world examples of how centres are structuring themselves to meet the EU standards for Comprehensive Cancer Centres. Participants will hear directly from the first wave of pilot centres, offering insights into early experiences, key lessons, and what lies ahead. Drawing on pilot experiences and consultations with Member States, the session will also highlight various governance and organisational models tailored to diverse national and regional contexts.

Moderator

Seamus Kearney

Moderator

President

Speakers

Xavier Geets

Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc

Radiation oncology specialist and Head of the Department of Adult and Paediatric Oncology and Haematology

Nikolai Goncharenko

National Cancer Institute

Director

Susanne Pinnock

Oslo University Hospital

Project Manager

Tit Albreht

National Institute of Public Health

Head of the Centre for Health Care

Theodora Psaltopoulou

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Internist and Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

12:15

🕒 12:15-13:15

Lunch break

Location

Foyer

How can the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres become a lasting part of Europe’s health landscape? How can EU health networks more broadly be sustained and empowered to deliver on their full potential? This session will explore these questions by examining the key actions needed to ensure the long-term viability of EUnetCCC. It will then take a broader perspective, looking at how greater collaboration and alignment between networks—such as ERNs and other EU initiatives—can support a more coordinated and effective response to cancer across Europe and how common solutions might be found to ensure their sustainability and success.

Moderator

Seamus Kearney

Moderator

President

Speakers

Marc Van den Bulcke

Sciensano

Head of the Cancer Centre

Giandomenico Russo

Alliance Against Cancer

Senior Expert

Paolo G. Casali

Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori

Director of the Medical Oncology Unit 2

Ruth Ladenstein

National Cancer Institute

Director

Facundo Alberti

Ministry of Health

Medical Oncologist, Coordination team team for Spain's National Cancer Strategy

Anniek de Ruijter

Ministry of Health

Medical Oncologist, Coordination team team for Spain's National Cancer Strategy

Parallel Session 8 – Navigating funding and support opportunities for aspiring CCCs
7 November, 14:15–15:00

EU funding can unlock vital improvements. This session will demystify key programmes—like EU4Health, Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and the Technical Support and Instrument—and offer guidance on accessing and combining resources to build capacity and innovation for aspiring Comprehensive Cancer Centres.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

President

Speakers

Antonella Canalis

European Health and Digital Executive Agency – European Commission

Project Adviser

Marianne Da Silva

European Health and Digital Executive Agency– European Commission

Programme Manager

Aleksandra Wesolowska

Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology– European Commission

Team Leader for the European Cancer Imaging Initiative

Oussama Karroum

Innovative Health Innitiative – European Commission​

Scientific officer

Parallel Session 9 – Ensuring access to high-quality cancer care: the case for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks (CCCNs)
7 November, 14:15–15:00

Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks are key to bringing quality care closer to patients. This session will examine the role of Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks (CCCNs) and their interfaces with Comprehensive Cancer Centres (CCCs).

Moderator

Ellen Griesshammer

German Cancer Society

Head of the European and International Affairs Unit

Speakers

Dorota Dudek-Godeau

National Insitute of Public Health

Chief Engineering and Technical Specialist

Aleksandra Sztuder

Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonogy and Hematology Center of Wrocław

Radiation oncologist and CCCN Coordinator

Anna Huruk-Kuchinka

National Oncology Network

Deputy Director

Sandro Pignata

National Cancer Institute

Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology of the Department of urology and gynaecology

Nikolai Goncharenko

National Cancer Institute

Director

This final session will bring the EUnetCCC Annual Meeting to a close by presenting the EUnetCCC White Paper—a shared vision for the future of the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. Building on two days of discussion, the session will highlight the network’s core principles and key messages to EU and national decision-makers. It will set out the case for making the EU CCC Network a lasting part of Europe’s cancer response, and outline the political and institutional support needed to scale and sustain the network beyond the Joint Action.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

President

Speakers

Thomas Dubois

French National Cancer Institute

Head of European and International Affairs

Christine Chomienne

Horizon Europe Cancer Mission Board

Vice President

Wolfgang Fecke

Association of European Cancer Leagues

Executive Director

Miriam Dalmas

Ministry for Health and Active Ageing

Consultant in Public Health Medicine

Peter Naredi

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Senior professor of Surgery and Senior Consultant

Gilles Vassal

Association of European Cancer Leagues

Executive Director

Tuula Helander

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Director of the Biotechnology and Medicines Unit at the Dept. of Safety, Security and Health

Antoine Vieillard Baron

Association of European Cancer Leagues

Executive Director

This closing session will reflect on the key messages from two days of discussion, focusing on the shared responsibility to carry the EUnetCCC network forward. It will highlight what’s been achieved, what still needs to be done, and the commitments required—both political and practical—to turn the network into a lasting driver of progress in cancer care, research, and education across Europe.

Moderator

Paul de Brem

Independent moderator

President

Speakers

Sandra Gallina

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety - European Commission

Director General

Nicolas Scotté

French National Cancer Institute

Chief Executive Officer