Pre-conference: Beyond risk reduction: empowering the cancer prevention workforce in Europe (BRRE) 


Tuesday 11 November, 09:00 – 12:30 Helsinki time
(ending with network lunch at 12:30)


Organised by

Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE) 

Background

Despite representing only 9% of the global population, Europe accounted for 23.4% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022. This burden is largely driven by aging demographics and exposure to risk factors such as tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity. Projections suggest that new cancer cases in the EU could exceed 3.24 million annually by 2040. At the same time, advancements in treatment have led to increased survivorship. As of 2020, Europe had approximately 23.7 million cancer survivors, with long-term survival rates improving steadily. However, disparities persist in outcomes and access to care across regions, emphasizing the critical need for enhanced prevention strategies to reduce cancer incidence and improve survivorship outcomes in the coming decades.

Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE) is an international, multidisciplinary consortium established in 2018 to nurture world-class cancer prevention research and ensure its translation into effective action at both national and international levels. With a mission to reduce the cancer burden across Europe, CPE promotes evidence-based strategies and fosters collaboration to strengthen prevention efforts at all levels—supporting both system-level action and workforce development.

Cancer prevention efforts in Europe are increasingly moving beyond primary prevention to include the entire continuum, encompassing secondary (early detection and screening) and tertiary (survivorship and recurrence prevention) approaches. To reduce the burden of cancer across populations, we must invest in a workforce that is not only skilled and adaptable but also equipped to respond to growing challenges such as misinformation and the commercial determinants of health. CPE is currently in the process of redesigning its Learning Centre to reflect a broader, integrated vision of cancer prevention and workforce development in Europe. The new platform aims to empower public health professionals through updated and comprehensive content aligned with evolving needs. While the new platform is still in development, a roadmap for its redesign is underway.

This pre-conference invites the European public health community to collaboratively shape this renewed vision for cancer prevention learning—ensuring it is inclusive, forward-thinking, and action-oriented. Through a series of interactive activities, group discussions, and participatory design sessions, participants will be actively engaged in identifying learning priorities and co-creating the future direction of the CPE Learning Centre.

Objectives

Through this interactive pre-conference participants will:

  • Gain an overview of the vision and roadmap of the redesigned CPE Learning Centre, developed to strengthen the cancer prevention workforce across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
  • Examine the evolving needs of the public health workforce in light of the growing cancer burden, inequities, and systemic challenges, including misinformation and commercial determinants of health.
  • Explore the role of education and communication in addressing disinformation and how the Learning Centre can equip professionals with tools to respond effectively.
  • Participate in small group exercises, scenario-based discussions, and activities to share expertise, reflect on practical needs, and shape the future content and structure of the CPE Learning platform.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this pre-conference, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the mission, structure, and future aspirations of CPE.
  • Recognize the rationale for expanding CPE Learning to encompass secondary and tertiary prevention alongside primary prevention.
  • Reflect on workforce needs and identify skill gaps across prevention, early detection, and survivorship.
  • Contribute to the content and development priorities of the next-generation CPE Learning Centre through structured, participatory activities.
  • Expand and strengthen professional networks and partnerships committed to advancing an integrated approach to cancer prevention in Europe.

Programme

Detailed programme will follow.

Registration

The registration fee is EUR 80. Networking lunch and refreshments are included.