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ECCO introduces European Academy of Cancer Sciences to keep cancer at top of policy agenda

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ECCO 15 – ESMO 34 Multidisciplinary Congress

The European CanCer Organization has launched a new initiative to inform and educate national, European and global policymakers of the needs of the oncology community. Alexander Eggermont, PhD, president of ECCO, announced the creation of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences yesterday at the ECCO 15 – ESMO 34 Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin.

According to Eggermont, the academy members, who will be representatives from all cancer disciplines with exceptional scientific and academic backgrounds, will provide independent, authoritative and evidence-based advice to policymakers. The academy members will keep the interests of cancer patients at the forefront of the policy agenda and avoid policy decisions that could negatively impact the practice of oncology medicine.

“We hope it will become an important reference point for policymakers and professionals in the field of oncology research and oncology care, where they can go to ask questions and receive suggestions and advice,” Eggermont said in a press release. “It will be an independent organism, with the secretariat provided by ECCO, with whose policy committee it will work closely in the beginning.”

To date, the founding group consists of 114 scientists and clinicians, representing 19 countries. The original 30 members were chosen based on experience and reputation, and they subsequently voted for other members. ECCO Board and Policy Committee members also comprise the founding group, though the academy hopes to elect up to 50 new members per year into life-long distinction.

“Members are excited about what they see as a genuine intellectual challenge, responding to real needs,” Eggermont said in a press release. “In the first place, the academy will put its collective intelligence to preparing a paper on what needs to be done to boost cancer research in Europe. The paper, which we hope will be produced in the next year, will look at barriers to research and how they can be addressed, as well as proposing priorities.”

For more information:

• Eggermont A. Presidential session 1. Presented at: ECCO 15 and 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress; Sept. 20-24, 2009; Berlin.

Read more from the ECCO 15 – ESMO 24 Congress>>