EU Launches CancerWatch to Revolutionize Cancer Data Across Europe
Brussels, Wednesday, 24 September 2025.
CancerWatch, launched on 23 September 2025, aims to transform cancer data quality and timeliness across Europe, involving 92 organizations from 29 countries, enhancing data-driven cancer control.
CancerWatch: A Pan-European Initiative
CancerWatch, officially launched on 23 September 2025 in Oslo, represents a pivotal step in the European Union’s efforts to advance cancer control. The initiative, coordinated by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, brings together 92 organizations from 29 countries. Its primary goal is to improve the quality and timeliness of cancer data across Europe. This collaboration is set to enhance the effectiveness of cancer registries, which are crucial for tracking cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates across the continent [1][2][3].
Enhancing Data Quality Through Digital Transformation
Central to CancerWatch’s mission is the digital transformation of population-based cancer registries (PBCRs). By implementing advanced digital tools, the initiative aims to deliver faster and richer data collection. This digital overhaul will not only harmonize data quality standards across borders but also address technical and legal barriers to data sharing. Such improvements are expected to provide policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals with more complete and comparable data, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and policy formulation [1][2][4].
Integration with the European Health Data Space
A significant component of CancerWatch is its preparation of cancer registries for integration into the European Health Data Space (EHDS). This integration will further ensure that high-quality, timely data is available to support the European Cancer Information System (ECIS). By improving key cancer indicators such as survival and prevalence, CancerWatch aims to provide timely insights that can influence cancer prevention strategies and healthcare delivery systems across Europe [1][5][6].
Addressing Disparities and Inequalities
CancerWatch is also committed to addressing existing disparities in cancer data quality and coverage across Europe. By developing a roadmap for future cancer indicators and expanding registration coverage to currently unmonitored regions, the initiative seeks to tackle inequalities in cancer care. This effort is particularly important given the rising number of cancer cases and the need for robust data to guide effective policy and research. As Philippe Roux of the European Commission stated, reliable data is the foundation for reducing inequality in cancer care [1][4][5].