On 30 October 2026, ECL and our member, the Cancer Society of Finland, hosted the Scientific Conference in Helsinki as part of the ECL 2026 Annual Meetings.

The conference examined how inequities shape cancer outcomes at every stage: from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer. The day opened with a welcome from ECL President Dr Juha Pekka Turunen.

Session 1: Inequities in cancer care
Chaired by Cristiana Fonseca (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro, ECL Board), this session featured:

• MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen, by video, on a stronger European response to cancer inequalities
• Matthias Schuppe (DG SANTE, European Commission) on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and reducing cancer inequalities
• Dr Hanne Kuitunen (Finnish Cancer Center FICAN) on cancer inequalities in Finland

Session 2: Current challenges in rare cancers
Chaired by Dr Juha Pekka Turunen (ECL President).

• Kirsimari Aaltonen (Cancer Society of Finland and Helsinki University Hospital) opened with an overview of rare cancers.
• A panel then discussed challenges in early detection, diagnostics, treatment and patient support, with:
  • Ramón Reyes (Spanish Association Against Cancer)
  • Tiina Aitlahti (Pharma Industry Finland)
  • Dr Katriina Jalkanen (Helsinki University Hospital HUS)
  • Dr Wolfgang Fecke (ECL)
  • Prof. Emerita Minna Pöyhönen (Cancer Society of Finland)

Session 3: Inequities in prevention and early detection
Chaired by Daniela Giangreco (Italian League Against Cancer LILT, ECL Vice President), this session featured:

• Dr Salvatore Vaccarella (IARC) on social inequalities in cancer in Europe
• Aapeli Nevala (Finnish Cancer Registry) on socioeconomic differences in cancer screening in Finland
• Arianna Khatchadourian (ECL Head of Projects) on practical toolkits from the PIECES and EUCanScreen projects
• Katri Sääksjärvi (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL), with a commentary

Session 4: How inequities in cancer care can be detected and treated
Chaired by Neda Ferenčić Vrban (Croatian League Against Cancer, ECL Board), this session featured:

• Dr Janne Pitkäniemi (Finnish Cancer Registry) on the role of cancer registries in recognising inequities, with a focus on cancers with poor prognosis
• Satoshi Araki (OECD) on consequences and inequities in cancer care
• Dr Julie Vancoppenolle (Netherlands Cancer Institute NKI) on the socioeconomic impact of cancer

A recurring message was that inequities in cancer can be measured, and that reliable data from registries and screening programmes is essential to act on them.

We thank all speakers, chairs and participants for their contributions, and the Cancer Society of Finland for hosting us in Helsinki.

Browse the photos below.