eISSN: 2450-5722
ISSN: 2450-5927
Journal of Health Inequalities
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2/2020
vol. 6
 
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abstract:
Special paper

Limitations of cancer care in Central and South-Eastern Europe: results of the international conference organized by the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group (CECOG)

Christiane Thallinger
1, 2
,
Ivica Belina
3
,
Alina Comanescu
4
,
Tanja Cufer
5
,
Jacek Jassem
6
,
Barbara Kiesewetter
7
,
Lydia E. Markaroff
8
,
Rene G. Ott
9
,
Bartosz Polinski
10
,
Radu Rasinar
11
,
Alexander Rödiger
12
,
Rafał Świerzewski
13
,
Nils Wilking
14
,
Christoph Zielinski
2, 15

1.
Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2.
Central European Cooperative Oncology Group (CECOG)
3.
Coalition of Associations in Healthcare (Koalicija udruga u zdravstvu), Croatia
4.
Community Health Association Romania
5.
University Clinic Golnik, Medical Faculty Ljubljana, Slovenia
6.
Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
7.
Clinical Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
8.
Fight Bladder Cancer, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
9.
AstraZeneca, Baar, Switzerland
10.
Alivia Cancer Foundation, Poland
11.
AstraZeneca, Bucharest, Romania
12.
Merck GmbH, Switzerland
13.
Foundation for Patients with Rare Diseases “COCARDA”, Poland, and European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC)
14.
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
15.
Vienna Cancer Center, Vienna Hospital Association and Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
J Health Inequal 2020; 6 (2): 139-152
Online publish date: 2020/12/30
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Profound disparities in cancer incidence and treatment outcomes, as well as accessibility of innovative EMA approved medications and technologies exist between Central, Eastern and South-Eastern (CEE)

European countries and neighbouring Western European (WE) countries.

An international expert conference was held to discuss the current situation regarding the availability and affordability of innovative anti-cancer drugs in CEE, to define shortcomings in cancer care and to specify possible solutions to overcome the lack of access to anti-cancer medications in the region.

Consequently, all experts agreed that national prevention programs targeting smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption, and cancer screening programmes should be widely implemented in CEE countries.

Considering limited healthcare resources in most CEE countries, an efficient allocation in a more structured way with clear cancer patient pathways to contain costs is needed. Also, more rapid reimbursement decisions and introduction of novel drugs in routine clinical practice, along with better access to clinical trials, are needed. There was consensus that higher investments into cancer care and more organized, value-oriented application of novel diagnostic and treatment approaches are necessary.

Furthermore, it was suggested that patient organisations should be more involved in cancer research, clinical research and reimbursement processes. Postulated were also higher investments into cancer care and more organized, value-oriented application of novel diagnostic and treatment approaches.
keywords:

cancer care, inequality, access, cancer control plans


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