Webinar: Supporting cancer patients and survivors in the workplace – challenges and best practices across Europe

30 April 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET

More than 12 million cancer survivors are expected to live in Europe—and many of them hope to return to work. But finding a way back into the workplace is not always straightforward.

To mark International Workers’ Day, the MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) group hosted a special webinar exploring how we can better support people affected by cancer as they navigate the workplace.

During this event, we explored the European Commission’s 2024 study on job retention and return to work, which sheds light on the real-world challenges faced by cancer patients and survivors – and the best practices that can make a difference.

Featuring voices from cancer patients and survivors, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and national cancer leagues, this event spotlighted the challenges and showcase inspiring examples of inclusive workplace practices across Europe.

This webinar was hosted by MEP Romana Jerković (S&D), Chair of the MEPs Against Cancer Interest Group, with support from the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).

Featured speakers included:

• Andrea Broughton, Director at Ecorys
• Domenico Fiorenza, Policy officer for Cancer, Health in all policies at EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE)
• Veronica Foote, Head of Policy and Consulting at Working With Cancer
• Christoph Kowalski, Head of department of the Health Service Research at the German Cancer Society 
• Atefeh Sadeghi, patient representative and cancer survivor advocate at Inspire2Live